Avian Orthopedics (Page 2)
 A bit of super sleuthing reveals a fracture but no external wounds. Now we shall attempt to repair the damage with the least inconvenience to the patient. This is appropriate since the less a bird is bothered by a device, the more likely it is to leave the fracture site alone and thus permit it to heal more readily and better aligned. Many repairs are accomplished with seemingly simple tape splints. Adhesive tape, elastic tape, masking tape, cellophane tape have all been used at one time or another. For most applications, regular adhesive tape seems to be a good compromise between durability and excessive weight. The fractured radius shown in figure 1. was repaired with a tape splint. This particular restraint went all the way around the body while the wings were folded. An additional piece of tape was applied to hold the wing tips together. A few weeks later and this fracture had healed, as seen in figure 2.  While the bones may still look weak, I can assure you that this pigeon was quite capable of flying. Broken legs may also be repaired using tape splints. Fractures of the tibiotarsus bone, similar to our shin bone, often heal well if the foot is held 90° to the leg bone and a piece of tape is applied to span above the "knee" and below the angle formed at the "ankle". While this single layer of tape is sufficiently strong to support the weight of a canary or budgie, cockatiel-sized patients may need additional layers. Many times we apply cellophane tape as a slick outer wrap to help the actual splint weather the commonly encountered chewing by hooked or chiseled beak.
"Come on now. You mean to say all I need is a roll of tape and I can be Harry Hyacinth's orthopedic specialist? That's great!"
Well, not exactly. Some bones are just too strong to get enough support from any feasible amount of tape. Other fractures, called comminuted fractures, are comprised of too many pieces to be readily lined up by mere external means. These cases likely require surgical manipulation. |
