132 PERONEAL TENOTOMY 



from the splint and a bandage, which rests upon the fetlock 

 joint, applied to the metacarpus, and allowed to remain in 

 position for eight days. The cutaneous wound should heal 

 by primary union. 



38. PERONEAL TENOTOMY 

 Fig. 50 



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 pendis 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 ex- 

 tensor pedis longus muscle extends inferiorly to near the 

 point of juncture of the two tendons ; the sheath of the 

 lateral extensor 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 ex- 

 tensor 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 body perpendicu- 

 larly upon the tendon through the skin, subcutem and 

 aponeurosis derived from the crural fascia ; push it from 

 before backward under the tendon, turn the cutting edge 

 against it, and with the hock extended, sever the tendon as 



