Phalangeal casts can aid healing of wounds in the foot and pastern region and help a horse return to function, researchers recently reported.

Although phalangeal casts (which cover the hoof and pastern but not the fetlock) are often used, there was little scientific evidence about how a horse treated in this manner will fare, compared with soft bandaging and daily wound care, said Karissa M. Ketzner, DVM, of the University of Missouri.

Ketzner and her colleagues looked at the medical records of 49 horses treated with a phalangeal cast for wounds in the pastern and foot region. Treatment protocols consisted of removing dead or infected tissue (debridement), cleaning the wound, suturing, cast application, and antibiotics.

The authors found that most horses did well. Three horses were still lame despite the casting, and one horse was euthanized due to persistent lameness