Intas Polivet (2012) Vol.

13 (II): 447-448 Short Communication

Indigenous Wooden Splints for Fixation of Tibial Fracture in a Cow

K. Mohd. Arif Basha1 and D.R. Manjunatha2
Veterinary Dispensary
Magala
Huvinahadagali Taluk
Bellary - 583216 (Karnataka)

Abstract
A case of closed complete tibial fracture in a pregnant cow was managed by immobilization using locally available
materials i.e. acacia tree bark, cotton cloth and jute fiber ropes and proper nutrition. Apart from few complications like
splint implicated injury, fracture healed with satisfactory weight bearing. In field conditions traditional methods of
immobilization are helpful, economical and easily available.
Keywords: Fracture; splint; tibia

Introduction cloth and thin ropes of jute fiber. A thin padding

The long bone fracture in large animal is common.
There was high incidence of fracture of tibia
(27.3%) followed by metacarpal (16.4%) in
bovines (Adams and Fessler, 1983). Fractures of
tibia are common in cattle, buffalo and sheep of
all age groups (Tyagi and Singh, 2008). Tibial
fracture occurs while grazing in pasture or during
transportation of cattle (Verchooten et al., 1972)
and external cooptation in the form of cast is
commonly used as sole method for long bone
treatment in cattle (Wilson and Raxvanderbax,
1995).
History
A Cow about seven and half month pregnant was
presented with the history of trauma and there
after not able to bear weight on left hind limb. On
palpation crepitating sound was felt at tibial shaft
and reduced limb length indicating clear case of
closed tibial fracture possibly overriding. No
X-ray facility was available even in any of the
nearby Veterinary hospitals. Animal was weak and
debilitated. Animal was in nutritional needs of not
only maintenance but also pregnancy and also
had to bear a major long bone fracture and it was
decided to go for external cooptation and
nutritional management of the animal.
Treatment and management
The fractured ends were reduced by traction and
a splint was applied using acacia tree bark, cotton
was given by wrapping a clean cotton cloth on
the fractured bone. Pieces of acacia bark as long
as the length of the bone and about 1 inch in
width were placed all around the bone. Wooden
bark pieces with sharp ends must be avoided and
better to make them blunt and cover with cotton
cloth to avoid any tissue damage. Finally
tightening the wooden bark pieces arranged all
around the length of the bone was done using
thin ropes of jute fiber. Care must be taken as
splint must be neither too tight nor too loose,
otherwise may result in swelling of limb below the
splint or insufficient immobilization respectively.
Animal was able to bear weight and walk on other
three limbs on first day (Fig.1). There was difficulty
in getting up and lying down. Animal was confined
and movement restriction was made.
Fig. 1: Animal walking with the other three limbs with
slight weight bearing on fractured limb with splint

1. Corresponding Author Animal was dewormed using Closantel 1g p.o.

E-mail: vetarif@gmail.com and was fed with concentrate ration 2.5 kg

447
 Arif Basha and Manjunatha
comprising mixture of deoiled rice bran, wheat
bran and groundnut cake with mineral mixture
50g/day. In one occasion there was a swelling
below the splint portion which was taken care by
removing the splint and reapplying later by cotton
padding. There was also a wound formed at the
Achilles tendon by sharp edges of immobilizing
Fig. 2 : Wound formed by the sharp edges
of the splint
material and had gone unnoticed by the owner
for couple of days (Fig. 2) which was attended by
regular dressing and Inj. Dicrysticina 2.5g i/m for 5
days. Animal delivered normally a healthy female
calf after its full term i.e., 51days post fracture (Fig.
3). Fracture appeared healed after a time of 3
months and satisfactory weight bearing and
movement of limb was seen.
Discussion
Less expensive materials like wooden splints are
suitable for injuries like epiphyseal fractures when
properly used. Casts are best suited for the injuries
below the carpus or tarsus. However fractures and
dislocations at or just proximal to the carpus or
tarsus can also be suitably managed by casts
alone. Because of difficulty in extending a cast
above the elbow or stifle joints, fractures proximal
to the distal epiphyseal areas of the radius or tibia
must be handled by some other means, usually
by a combination of devices.(Oheme and Prier,
1980) and according to Ramesh (2000) use of
a - Brand of Zydus Animal Health, Ahmedabad
448
modified molded PVC splints is feasible in the
long bone fracture treatment with transfixation
pinning technique, it provided immobilization in
the fracture treatment on ruminants and in this
case we used acacia bark and jute fiber for
external cooptation for immobilization of fracture.
Fig. 3 : Animal with its healthy female calf and
satisfactory weight bearing 65th day post trauma
References
Adams, S.B. and Fessler, J.F., (1983). Treatment of
radius and tibial fractures in cattle using modified Thomas
splint-cast combination. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 183:
430-33.
Oehme, F.W. and Prier, J.E. (1980). Textbook of Large
Animal Surgery, Williams and Wilkins publishers,
Baltimore, USA, p-270
Ramesh, R. (2000). Use modified molded PVC splints
with transfixation pinning for the repair of long bone
fracture in large ruminants. MVSc thesis, University of
Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
Tyagi, R.P.S. and Singh Jit (2008). Ruminant Surgery.
CBS Publishers and Distributers, New Dehli., India,
p-367
Verchooten, F., Demore, A. and Desmet, P. (1972).
Surgical treatment of tibial fracture in cattle. Vet. Rec.
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Wilsoson, D.G. and Raxvanderbax, J.R. (1995). An
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cylinders in bending. Vet. Surg. 24: 55-59.