Backsplinting for Treatment of Thoracic and Lumbar Fracture/Luxation in the Dog: Principles of Application and Case Series

Abstract

SummarySixteen animals with thoracic and lumbar fracture/luxations were treated with an external bracing system. The splint design and the method of application are described along with the complications seen. All of the animals recovered acceptable function, although six had residual neurologic deficits. Biomechanical testing of the splint revealed sufficient strength to limit angular deformation at a bending moment of 40 Nm. This approximates calculated in vivo bending moments for a large paralysed dog. Principles for closed reduction and external bracing of thoracic and lumbar injuries are presented.External coaptation was used in the reduction and fixation of 16 animals with thoracic and lumbar fracture/luxations. This spinal bracing system is described and principles of its application are presented. An experimental bending test was employed to test the hypothesis that the splint could effectively limit angulation at calculated in vivo bending moments.