External coaptation Flashcards
What does external coaptation control?
- bending force
some torsion
What does external coaptation NOT control?
- compression
2. tension
What is required for external coaptation to be effective?
the joint above AND below must be immobilized
What areas is external coapatation ineffective for?
- femoral
- humeral
- pelvic fractures
What is external coaptation?
the immobilization of a body part using externally applied support. NOT external fixation!!
What is the difference between external coaptation and external fixation?
external fixation is direct immobilization of a bone, external coaptation is fixation of a body part (cast, splint, brace, bandage)
What are the advantages of external coaptation?
- minimal blood supply disruption
- minimal effect on physeal growth
- sometimes cheaper than surgical repair–BUT requires rechecks!
What are the disadvantages of external coaptation/
- poor control over compressive and tensile forces
- less rigid stabilization
- alignment and reduction may be difficult
- joints above and below fracture must be immobilized–joint issues adult vs young
- inappropriate for humerus, femur, pelvis
- rub sores
What are indications for use of external coaptation
- transverse fractures
- fractures stabilized by ANOTHER BONE
- immobilizing joints
- augmented support of broken bones following surgical repair
What happens if you don’t have external coaptation high enough
the EC serves as a fulcrum to concentrate bending forces at the fracture site
why include the toes?
to prevent venous congestion (leave out 3 and 4)
why leave out toes 3 and 4?
to look for warmth and evidence of swelling–if not touching
why leave out toes 3 and 4?
to look for warmth and evidence of swelling–if not touching
what happens if EC doesn’t fit right?
rub sores
What happens if EC too loose?
limb comes off with badage
What are forms of external coaptation?
- cast
- splint
- bandages
- slings
- braces
Why are casts minimally padded?
b/c rely on close conformity with underlying limb to max. rotational control
What are casts used for
- fracture stabilization
- joint immobilization
- support following arthrodesis
What are splints?
stiff part does not completely encircle the limb.
What are splints used for?
- definitive repair of relatively stable fractures
- repair of fractures in young animals
- support of operative repairs/reduced luxations
- temporary stabilization
What is a spica splint?
goes up alongside dog’s body, more effectively immobilizes elbow joint
What is a schroeder thomas splint?
ring attached to rods, stretch leg so ring agianst armpit. May be used for humerus fracture NOT for femoral fractures–quad contracture
What are bandages for?
used more for covering wounds and providing slight support. may provide temporary support when there is considerable soft tissue swelling
What do slings do?
hold a limb in a desired position or prevent full weightbearing. usually minimal padding
What does an ehmer sling do?
flexion and internal rotation of hip to keep hindlimb nonweightbearing, mostly for after hip luxation reduction
What does an ehmer sling do?
flexion and internal rotation of hip to keep hindlimb nonweightbearing, mostly for after hip luxation reduction
What is an issue with the ehmer sling?
can produce very bad pressure sores if not carefully monitored
What is the use of the sciatic sling?
to discourage knuckling in limbs with incomplete sciatic palsy
What is the velpeau sling?
forelimb nonweightbearing sling
used after reduction of shoulder luxation, scapular fracture other shoulder repairs
What are bracies?
like splints but padding is not circumferential–usually worn during physical activity
What are braces?
like splints but padding is not circumferential–usually worn during physical activity
