886 



PLANTAR NEURECTOMY. 



resection of the posterior division of the digital nerve is termed low 

 plantar, or digital neurectomy. The high operation is generally 

 preferred, though the low or partial operation is very useful where 

 the cause of the chronic lameness is confined to the posterior region 

 of the foot. In certain cases neurectomy may be restricted to one 

 side of the limb. When resection is performed on both plantar 

 nerves, the incision on the inner side of the leg is usually made a 



Fig. 503. — Neurectomy above the fetlock. V, Vein ; A, artery ; N, nerve. 



little above the prominence of the fetlock-joint, so that the wound 

 may not be injured by the opposite foot. 



The animal is cast and anaesthetised, the limb to be operated on 

 is released and drawn forwards, the skin shaved at the seat of 

 operation, and the parts cleansed and disinfected. To prevent 

 troublesome bleeding it is very convenient to apply a rubber bandage 

 from the fetlock to the knee and to pass a stout rubber cord tightly 

 round the limb just above the knee itself ; the bandage is then 

 removed, leaving the parts practically bloodless and partly anaesthetic. 



The operation is usually performed first on the inner side, as the 

 wound can then be better guarded against soiling than in the opposite 



