TENOTOMY OF THE FLEXOR PEDIS TENDONS. 119 



IV. OPERATIONS ON THE EXTREMITIES. 



32. TENOTOMY OP THE FLEXOR PEDIS TENDONS. 



Pl,ATK XVII. 



Objects. The relief of contraction- of the flexor tendon.s 

 of the foot. 



Instruments. Razor, scissor.s, sharp tenotome, bandage 

 material. 



Technic. Tenotomy is generally performed on the deep, 

 or flexor pedis tendon, seldom on the superficial, or flexor 

 of the OS coronae of the foot. 



Confine upon the operating table with the affected 

 member undermost and the foot fully extended. In default 

 of a table confine in lateral recumbency and apply an exten- 

 sion splint to the foot as shown in Plate XVII. 



On the median side at the middle of the metacarpu.s the 

 skin is shaved and disinfected over the tendon of the flexor 

 pedis muscle. The location named lies between the lower 

 extremity of the great carpal sheath above and the superior 

 extremity of the tendonous sheath of the fetlock below, so 

 that neither of the.se is wounded during the operation, but 

 the tendon is .severed at a point wliere*it is inve,sted by loose 

 connective tissue which retains the divided ends in their 

 normal hne of direction, somewhat fixed, and favors their 

 ultimate reunion. 



Grasp the metacarpus in this area from above and behind 

 in such a manner that the thitmb rests upon the median or 

 upper surface of the metacarpus, and the index and second 

 fingers on the lateral or under side of the flexor pedis tendon. 

 While the left thumb pushes the skin toward the metacarpal 

 bone, that is, forward, a sharp pointed tenotome held per- 

 pendicularly in the right hand is introduced with the cutting 

 edge toward the hoof through the skin, .subcutem and anti- 



