Effect of bandaging techniques on sub-bandage pressures in the equine distal limb, carpus, and tarsus.
Authors: Canada Nathan C, Beard Warren L, Guyan Megan E, White Brad J
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
Maintaining appropriate sub-bandage pressure is critical for therapeutic efficacy, yet little guidance exists on how different bandaging techniques perform across the equine distal limb and joints. Canada and colleagues evaluated six commonly used bandage configurations on eight sound horses, measuring sub-bandage pressures immediately after application and, for carpal and tarsal bandages, again following a 50-metre walk using a calibrated compression gauge. The distal limb compression bandage and inner sanctum bandage generated substantially higher mean pressures (165–167 mmHg) than a simple double-layer construction (146 mmHg), whilst carpal compression bandages delivered far greater initial pressure (154 mmHg) compared with adhesive elastic alternatives (70 mmHg)—though critically, both compression-based carpal and tarsal bandages lost significant pressure within a single walking session, whereas elastic carpal bandages maintained their tension. For practitioners, these findings suggest that standard distal limb compression techniques should not be modified in pursuit of greater pressure, that carpal elastic bandages offer superior pressure retention during normal activity and may therefore be preferable for long-term therapeutic use, and that deliberate slitting of tarsal bandages over the calcaneus should be abandoned given the rapid pressure loss this creates.
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Practical Takeaways
- •If immediate high compression is needed, use DLC or IS bandages; DL variations offer no advantage over standard DLC
- •For horses that must remain active or ambulate during recovery, C-ELA carpal bandages maintain consistent pressure better than traditional CC or TC bandages which lose pressure quickly with movement
- •Avoid creating slits over the calcaneal tuber in tarsal bandages as this causes substantial pressure loss during use
Key Findings
- •DLC and IS bandages generated significantly higher mean pressures (165-167 mmHg) compared to DL bandages (146 mmHg)
- •CC bandages produced mean pressure of 154 mmHg at application versus only 70 mmHg for C-ELA bandages
- •CC and TC bandage pressures decreased significantly after 50m of walking, while C-ELA pressures remained stable
- •Creating a slit over the calcaneus in TC bandages caused rapid pressure loss and should be avoided