Measurement of distal limb sub‐bandage pressure over 96 hours in horses

Abstract

Pressure distribution was not uniform. The DLP pressures were maintained for a 24 h period. The DLC maintained high pressures for 96 h, but a significant decrease in pressure occurred between 6 and 12 h. Providing there are no other reasons to change a bandage, a 4 day interval between bandages may be appropriate if maintaining distal limb compression is the principal indication.

Effect of bandaging techniques on sub‐bandage pressures in the equine distal limb, carpus, and tarsus

“…C‐ELA exerted pressures above the human therapeutic pressure range for edema reduction and were able to maintain this pressure during walking. In addition, in previous work, our group found that compressing a pillow pad with a polo wrap over the distal limb produced mean sub‐bandage pressures that ranged from 75 mmHg to 85 mmHg over a 24 hour period . Anecdotal experience from our hospital provides evidence that polo/pillow pad wraps are efficacious in reducing distal limb edema, and it is reasonable to assume that C‐ELA pressures, although slightly less than those of the polo wrap pressures, are equally efficacious for carpal edema.…”

“…Intra‐applicator bandage pressure variation has been established in human medicine and could account for some of the pressure differences in this study . The distal limb bandages were not tested by walking in the current study because we have previously shown that DLC maintain high pressures for 96 hours in horses confined to a stall . We believe that ambulation within a stall exceeds the short walk performed in the current study.…”

“…In our previous work we demonstrated that distal limb bandages maintain high pressures over a 96‐hour period, but carpal and tarsal bandages behave quite differently . Sub‐bandage pressures created by compression bandages placed over both joints degraded after walking a short distance.…”

“…Reported therapeutic sub‐bandage pressures for edematous limbs vary from 15‐120 mmHg, but more recent studies have concluded that pressures between 40 and 60 mmHg are most efficient for reducing edema in human legs . Although therapeutic pressure ranges for the prevention or resorption of distal limb edema in horses have yet to be established, our previous research established pressure ranges for distal limb compression bandages (DLC) in normal horses . Furthermore, DLC maintained high mean sub‐bandage pressures (>135 mmHg) over a 96 hour period, which were greater than the pressures reported in human patients…”

Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers

“…In this study Nathan Canada and colleagues at Kansas State University, USA, examined the pressures exerted by distal limb bandages in horses over 96 hours .…”