SPRAIN OF PERFORATUS AND PERFORANS 



131 



An animal with " sprung sinews " may do well, and work satisfactorily 

 tor years. In other cases where the sprain is severe, shortening of 

 the tendon may occur, and lameness is then permanent. 



Treatment of sprained perforans tendon depends upon the age, 

 degree, and situation of the injury. If the case is recent, and seen 

 within from twelve to twenty-four hours, pressure should be applied by 

 means of dry compresses, several layers of cotton wool being used, and 

 the limb is then bandaged from the coronet upwards. The heel of the 

 shoe should be raised as soon as possible. The object of doing this is 

 evident, as it eases the tension on the damaged tendon. The compress 

 need not be moved for two or three days, and if it should work loose it 

 should be replaced immediately. This method of treatment should be 

 adopted continuously for about a week, when, if the sprain be not very 

 severe, it will be found that the swelling has greatly diminished, and 

 the animal places the foot flat upon the ground and bears weight with 

 the limb. The object of the compress is to cause reabsorption of the 

 exudate and prevent further exudation. 



In older cases hot fomentations should at first be utilised, followed 

 by some spirituous cooling lotion, and when pain has subsided this 

 treatment is frequently followed by firing and blistering the part. Cases 

 treated in this way are, however, frequently not successful, a common 

 result being that the tendon becomes shortened owing to contraction of 

 the newly formed connective tissue ; the heel is raised from the ground 

 as a result, and the fetlock is knuckled. To give temporary relief in 

 such cases the operation of tenotomy, which has already been described, 

 is performed. 



Cases of old-standing sprains in cart horses are frequently treated by 

 performing median neurectomy. By this means the pain is relieved, but 

 mechanical lameness frequently remains. 



In sprain of the perforans tendon in colts good results follow if the 

 foot be shod with high heels, and the animal be turned into a loose- 

 box or straw yard. In all cases of perforans sprain complete rest for a 



