PERONEAL TENOTOMY 



157 



bound from the splint and a bandage applied to the meta- 

 carpus, which rests upon the fetlock joint and remains in 

 position for eight days. Healing of the cutaneous wound 

 by primary union. 



34. PERONEAL TENOTOMY. 

 Plate XXIV. 



Object. The relief of Stringhalt. 



Instruments. Razor, scissors, sharp tenotome. 



Technic. On the lateral side of the metatarsus a triangle, 

 d, opening toward the tarsus is formed by the tendons of the 

 extensor pedis longus muscle, /, and the lateral extensor of 

 the foot, e, which unite on the anterior surface of the middle 

 of the metatarsus. The synovial sheath of the extensor 

 pedis longus muscle extends inferiorly to near the point of 

 juncture of the two tendons ; the sheath of the lateral ex- 

 tensor ends below 3 to 4 cm. above the point of union. In 

 the middle of this space without a sheath, which is 3 to 4 

 cm. long, and below the annular ligament of the hock the 

 operation is carried out. After the skin has been shaved 

 and disinfected, confine in the stocks or operate upon the 

 standing horse, with the aid of local anaesthesia, a twitch 

 being applied to the nose and the opposite hind foot held up 

 with the side-line. The tendon of the lateral extensor is 

 easily felt under the skin as a hard cord about 0.7 to i cm. in 

 diameter. Stretch the skin and with the back of the hand 

 toward the hock grasp and compress the tendon with the 

 thumb and index finger of one hand, insert the tenotome 

 with the cutting edge toward the foot perpendicularly upon 

 the tendon through the skin, subcutem and aponeurosis 

 derived from the crural fascia ; push it from before back- 

 ward under the tendon, turn the cutting edge against it, 

 and with the hock extended sever the tendon as well as the 



