IN-VITRO COMPARISON OF THE STANDARD SHORT LIMB CAST AND 3 CONFIGURATIONS OF SHORT LIMB TRANSFIXATION CASTS IN EQUINE FORELIMBS

Axial stability of equine oblique proximal phalangeal osteotomies with application of the standard short limb cast or 1 of 3 configurations of transfixation casts was determined in vitro. Transfixation cast met hods included use of parallel pins, divergent pins, or parallel pins i ncorporating a metal walking bar. Displacement at the osteotomy was re corded for each limb at 4,448 N. Standard short limb casts provided si gnificantly (P = 0.0002) less axial stability than did any form of tra nsfixation cast. Significant differences were not found between the 3 transfixation casts.