210 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



Metatarsal Tenotomy. 



Metatarsal tenotomy is performed for analogous de- 

 formities in the pelvic limb, according to the same special 

 recommendations governing metacarpal tenotomy. Plantar 

 flexions (knuckling) grave enough to warrant its applica- 

 tion are, however, much more liable to recur than the 

 volar flexions of the pectoral limb. This is particularly the 

 case when the causative lesion is connected with the tarsus. 



Peroneal Tenotomy. 



DEFINITION.— Peroneal tenotomy is the name applied 

 to the surgical division of the tendon of the peroneus muscle 

 at or near to its insertion to the extensor pedis tendon, for 

 the cure of stringhalt. 



HISTORY. — Peroneal tenotomy is a modern operation, 

 first recommended by Bassi only a few years ago. It has 

 been performed in America only during the past twelve or 

 fifteen years, but was known to European veterinarians for 

 some years prior to that time. At the present time it is 

 very frequently performed by American veterinary practi- 

 tioners. In fact, few stringhalt horses escape the operation 

 where there chances to be a veterinarian to perform it. It 

 seems to" be performed by nearly all of the country practi- 

 tioners. Horses coming into the markets very often show 

 evidence of having been thus treated. It is a very common 

 occurrence to find that the stringhalt horses submitted at the 

 large clinics have been operated upon before having been 

 brought from the country districts. Although a common 

 procedure of the veterinary surgeon it is now generally 

 known to be' rather unreliable. Some are cured, some are 

 benefited, but many are not even improved by the operation, 

 and it seems absolutely impossible to predict the results. Its 

 unreliability is, however, regarded as being counter-balanced 

 by its simplicity and harmlessness, which fact will doubtless 

 serve to retain its same nominal popularity until a better 

 treatment for this mysterious abnormality of locomotion is 

 found. 



INDICATIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS.— 

 The operation of peroneal tenotomy is performed only for 

 stringhalt. It is intended to cure or modify the excessive 

 flexion of the hock, by which the disease is manifested. 

 Stringhalt is the symptom of an obscure lesion, whose pa- 

 thology is still a mystery. The various explanations and 



