Equine Distal Limb Wounds Managed with Phalangeal Casts: 50 Cases

1. Introduction
The purpose of this study was to describe the application of a phalangeal cast for the treatment of distal limb wounds in the pastern and foot region and to evaluate healing and soundness of horses treated with phalangeal casts for stablization of wounds in the pastern and foot region.

2. Materials and Methods
Medical records of 49 horses that were treated for 50 cases of wounds in the pastern and foot region with phalangeal casts all applied in a similar fashion at equine referral hospitals from 1995–2006 were reviewed, and follow-up information was obtained.

3. Results and Discussion
Wound therapy consisted of wound debridement, lavage, wound closure (28 wounds), cast application, and antibiotics (84%). At follow-up, the majority of horses were sound (42 of 47 wounds; 89.4%), three horses were still lame, and one horse was euthanized because of persistent lameness. Three horses were lost to follow-up. There was no difference between the outcomes of horses treated acutely or after a 24-h delay. Only eight cases had wounds with synovial structure involvement, and three of these cases were infected for >2 days. These small number of cases with synovial structure involvement did not negatively influence outcome. The phalangeal casts were well tolerated and proved to be an effective treatment for wounds involving the pastern and foot region. [...]