846 INFLAMMATION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 



being that the limb shall afterwards carry some weight, without 

 which the tendon further contracts. 



Tenotomy aims at lengthening the contracted tendon. It may 

 be performed in various ways, though the subcutaneous is the only 

 really successful method. Some operate from the outer side and 

 direct the incision either towards the suspensory ligament or towards 

 the skin. The inside is preferable in operating on a fore-limb, 

 because of the absolute guarantee this gives against injury of the 

 metacarpal artery. The operation is, however, only valuable in 

 young and high-priced horses, because recovery and restoration 

 to work require ten to twenty weeks or even longer. 



At the inner side of the leg, about the middle of the metacarpus, 



Fig. 480. — Section through the centre of the metacarpus. 



a, Large metacarpal artery ; b, metacarpal vein ; c, inner plantar nerve ; 



d e /, corresponding external structures ; g g g, interosseous arteries ; 



k, oblique branch from internal to external plantar nerve ; I, tendon of 



flexor perforans ; m, its reinforcing band ; n, tendon of flexor perforatus. 



the hair is shaved, and the entire metacarpus washed with soap and 

 water and rinsed with sublimate solution. A ring of sublimate 

 wood-wool is then laid round the point of operation, fixed by a 

 bandage, and moistened three times a day with sublimate solution. 

 In this way in twelve to twenty-four hours the metacarpus is made 

 clean and nearly aseptic, so that healing without suppuration may 

 be reckoned on with certainty provided the other rules of asepsis 

 are carried out. Hands and instruments must be disinfected, and 

 sterilised dressings employed. 



The horse is cast on the affected side, and ansesthetised ; the 

 limb to be operated on may be left in the hobble and the pastern 

 held forward by a sideline, or the limb may be removed from the 

 hobble and held fully extended. An incision through the skin is 

 made with a pointed bistoury midway between the knee and fetlock, 



