Eleven young cattle (8-24 months of age) were treated for septic physi
tis of the metacarpal or metatarsal bones. Two new elements were added
to the traditional treatment. Firstly, homologous cancellous bone gra
fts were used for their osteoinductive properties even in an infected
surrounding. (Actinomyces pyogenes was recovered most commonly.) Secon
dly, a walking cast was applied for better immobilization of the lower
limb with minimal discomfort to the animal. After surgery, the 11 bov
ine patients needed an average walking cast period of 4.5 weeks and 1
to 2 weeks' treatment with antibiotics. The new treatment regime exped
ites the healing process and shows a success rate of 100%. Follow-up a
fter 6 months revealed that all animals were completely sound without
recurrence of the physitis.