848 



INFLAMMATION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 



cannon bone. Should the ends of the tendon not retract after 

 complete section, adhesions with the aponeurosis probably exist. 

 and must be divided or broken down. 



By introducing the tenotome close to the perforans tendon the 

 danger of injuring the large metacarpal artery is avoided. Some- 

 times small cutaneous and subcutaneous veins are divided, causing 

 a little bleeding, but this is of no consequence. The surface of 

 the wound is then washed with sublimate solution, a tampon of 

 cotton applied to the little incision, the limb surrounded with 

 sublimate wood-wool or similar material, a circular bandage 

 applied, and the horse allowed to rise. 

 If the operation is to prove successful. 

 the fetlock-joint ought now to appear 

 moderately extended. 



Provided the dressing is not w r et 

 through by discharge, it may be left 

 in position for a week, when the skin 

 wound will be found completely closed. 

 The dressing may also be saturated with 

 sublimate solution and changed the 

 next day ; it must, of course, be changed 

 should it become soaked with blood. 

 After removing it the leg should be 

 rinsed with sublimate, or carbolic solu- 

 tion, any blood-clots washed away, and 

 fresh dressing applied. 



With these precautions antisepsis is 

 maintained without difficulty, even if the 

 metacarpal artery has been cut through. 

 In the event of such an accident, the dressing must be very 

 tightly applied, moistened with sublimate, and changed, with 

 proper precautions, in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. 



As a rule, healing proceeds much better where only the flexor 

 perforans is divided. The animal's usefulness is sooner restored, 

 and, in consequence of weight being placed on the limb at an earlier 

 period, excessive contraction of the cicatricial tissue is less to be 

 feared. Where the flexor perforatus is also divided excessive dorsal 

 flexion may occur, or the animal may prove unable to stand on the 

 limb, and fresh contraction take place. For this reason tenotomy 

 often fails ; but it is undesirable to follow Fogliata, who first divides 

 the perforatus tendon, and when this is not sufficient, cuts through 

 the perforans. If the horse, when quietly standing, places sufficient 



Fig. 483.— To illustrate the 

 peculiar gait after tenotomy. 

 The horse treads on the heel. 



