TENOTOMY. 



847 



just over the flexor pedis perforans. If the tendon is adherent at 

 this point to the flexor perforatus, a spatula should be passed 

 between the tendons to make way for the knife, and section of the 

 perforans may then be performed from behind forwards ; otherwise, 



Fig. 481. — Tenotomy — first stage 



Fig. 482. — Tenotomy — second 



a blunt tenotome is inserted, with its surface lying close to the tendon 

 of the flexor pedis perforans, and is pushed between this and the 

 suspensory ligament until it can be felt at the other side. Its 

 cutting edge is then turned against the flexor perforans, the phalanx 

 extended by a rope or by an assistant pulling it forward, and the 

 tendon divided by slowly lowering the hand in the direction of the 



