External coaptation

Question 1

What does external coaptation control?

Answer 1

1. bending force

some torsion

Question 2

What does external coaptation NOT control?

Answer 2

1. compression

2. tension

Question 3

What is required for external coaptation to be effective?

Answer 3

the joint above AND below must be immobilized

Question 4

What areas is external coapatation ineffective for?

Answer 4

1. femoral
2. humeral
3. pelvic fractures

Question 5

What is external coaptation?

Answer 5

the immobilization of a body part using externally applied support. NOT external fixation!!

Question 6

What is the difference between external coaptation and external fixation?

Answer 6

external fixation is direct immobilization of a bone, external coaptation is fixation of a body part (cast, splint, brace, bandage)

Question 7

What are the advantages of external coaptation?

Answer 7

1. minimal blood supply disruption
2. minimal effect on physeal growth
3. sometimes cheaper than surgical repair–BUT requires rechecks!

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of external coaptation/

Answer 8

1. poor control over compressive and tensile forces
2. less rigid stabilization
3. alignment and reduction may be difficult
4. joints above and below fracture must be immobilized–joint issues adult vs young
5. inappropriate for humerus, femur, pelvis
6. rub sores

Question 9

What are indications for use of external coaptation

Answer 9

1. transverse fractures
2. fractures stabilized by ANOTHER BONE
3. immobilizing joints
4. augmented support of broken bones following surgical repair

Question 10

What happens if you don’t have external coaptation high enough

Answer 10

the EC serves as a fulcrum to concentrate bending forces at the fracture site

Question 11

why include the toes?

Answer 11

to prevent venous congestion (leave out 3 and 4)

Question 12

why leave out toes 3 and 4?

Answer 12

to look for warmth and evidence of swelling–if not touching

Question 13

why leave out toes 3 and 4?

Answer 13

to look for warmth and evidence of swelling–if not touching

Question 14

what happens if EC doesn’t fit right?

Answer 14

rub sores

Question 15

What happens if EC too loose?

Answer 15

limb comes off with badage

Question 16

What are forms of external coaptation?

Answer 16

1. cast
2. splint
3. bandages
4. slings
5. braces

Question 17

Why are casts minimally padded?

Answer 17

b/c rely on close conformity with underlying limb to max. rotational control

Question 18

What are casts used for

Answer 18

1. fracture stabilization
2. joint immobilization
3. support following arthrodesis

Question 19

What are splints?

Answer 19

stiff part does not completely encircle the limb.

Question 20

What are splints used for?

Answer 20

1. definitive repair of relatively stable fractures
2. repair of fractures in young animals
3. support of operative repairs/reduced luxations
4. temporary stabilization

Question 21

What is a spica splint?

Answer 21

goes up alongside dog’s body, more effectively immobilizes elbow joint

Question 22

What is a schroeder thomas splint?

Answer 22

ring attached to rods, stretch leg so ring agianst armpit. May be used for humerus fracture NOT for femoral fractures–quad contracture

Question 23

What are bandages for?

Answer 23

used more for covering wounds and providing slight support. may provide temporary support when there is considerable soft tissue swelling

Question 24

What do slings do?

Answer 24

hold a limb in a desired position or prevent full weightbearing. usually minimal padding

Question 25

What does an ehmer sling do?

Answer 25

flexion and internal rotation of hip to keep hindlimb nonweightbearing, mostly for after hip luxation reduction

Question 26

What does an ehmer sling do?

Answer 26

flexion and internal rotation of hip to keep hindlimb nonweightbearing, mostly for after hip luxation reduction

Question 27

What is an issue with the ehmer sling?

Answer 27

can produce very bad pressure sores if not carefully monitored

Question 28

What is the use of the sciatic sling?

Answer 28

to discourage knuckling in limbs with incomplete sciatic palsy

Question 29

What is the velpeau sling?

Answer 29

forelimb nonweightbearing sling | used after reduction of shoulder luxation, scapular fracture other shoulder repairs

Question 30

What are bracies?

Answer 30

like splints but padding is not circumferential--usually worn during physical activity

Question 31

What are braces?

Answer 31

like splints but padding is not circumferential--usually worn during physical activity