PLANTAR NEUROTOMY. 137 



36. PLANTAR N:eUROTOMY. 

 PI.ATE XXI. 



Objects. The relief of navicular lameness or other pain- 

 ful non-suppurating diseases of any parts below the fetlock 

 joint. 



Instruments. Razor, scissors, convex scalpel, compre.s- 

 sion artery forceps, tenacula, aneurism needles, suture ma- 

 terial, elastic ligature. 



Technic. It is well to apply a bandage saturated with 

 sublimate or creolin solution to the fetlock joint 24 hrs. 

 before the operation in order to .secure thorough disinfection. 



Confine the animal and fix the limb as in the preceding 

 operation. After the removal of the bandage, shave the site 

 of operation and thoroughly disinfect the region of the 

 metacarpus and fetlock with .soap, brush, and sublimate or 

 creolin solution and 50% alcohol. Pa.ssing the fingers from 

 before to behind with light pre.s.sure over the region of the 

 fetlock joint, there is felt just in front of the flexor pedis 

 tendon a channel-like depression extending from above the 

 fetlock downward over it. In this lies the threadlike cord 

 of the nerve, «, 3 mm. thick, which 'glides forward under- 

 neath the fingers with a distinct recoil. The site of opera- 

 tion lies immediately above the fetlock in tiie posterior third 

 of the metacarpus or one may operate at any point higher 

 up as far as beyond the middle of the metacarpus or meta- 

 tarsus so long as care is taken to include the anastomosing 

 branch given off by the median plantar nerve at about the 

 middle of the metacarpus and bending obliquely around 

 behind the tendons to join the lateral nerve somewhat lower 

 down. At this point stretch the skin between the thumb 

 and index finger of one hand and make an incision 3 to 5 

 cm. long, the lower angle of which is just above the fetlock 

 joint, cutting directly through the skin, subcutem and con- 



