134 CUNEAN TENOTOMY 



well as the fascia through to the skin. In accomplishing 

 the section of the tendon, the knife is to be used as a lever 

 of the first class with the anterior border of the metatarsus 

 acting as a fulcrum. If the tendon has been completely 

 severed, its retracted ends may be felt under the skin i to 

 2 cm. above and below the wound. After the operation an 

 antiseptic bandage is applied, resting upon the fetlock. The 

 bandage should remain eight days and the cutaneous wound 

 heal by first intention. Care should be taken not to wound 

 the tendon of the extensor pedis longus muscle. 



Recently it has been proposed to permanently obliterate 

 the function of the peroneus muscle by severing it's tendon 

 within it's tarsal sheath above and below the tarsus and 

 withdrawing the isolated section. The same object may be 

 attained by merely severing the tendon within it's sheath 

 below the tarsus, if the operation be carried out under aseptic 

 precautions, "because when thus performed the epithelium 

 advances over the retracted cut ends and leaves them free 

 in the sheath. 



39. CITNEAN TENOTOMY 



FIG. 50 



Objects. The relief of spavin lameness. 



Instruments. Razors, scissors, straight scalpel, Peters' 

 spavin knife. 



Technic. Most horses can be operated on standing, under 

 local anaesthesia ; otherwise the horse should be cast, or 

 secured on the operating table, on the affected side and the 

 tarsus extended. Shave and disinfect an area 5 to 6 cm. 

 square on the inferior median surface of the hock, over 

 the course of the cunean tendon of the chief flexor of the 

 metatarsus, as indicated in Fig. 51. I^ocate the tendon, 

 CT, by palpation as it passes obliquely downward and back- 

 ward and make a transverse incision with a straight scalpel 



