CHAPTER X 



The Extremities 



The Legs and Feet 



CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS. 



A congenital malformation of the anterior legs is not infre- 

 quently met with. The deformity is ordinarily confined to one 

 member but may exist in both, and consists of a contracted condition 

 of the flexor tendons, of variable degree, resulting in an unnatural 

 flexion of the metacarpals or even a true club-foot (carpipes). The 

 head of the radius may be dislocated. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. Where the deformity is of minor 

 degree, the foot can still be brought to the ground, but never in 

 straight line, and lameness is evident. In extreme cases where the 

 metacarpals are completely flexed on to the forearm, the carpus 

 forms the point of contact with the ground. 



Treatment. In cases of minor deformity good results are 

 obtainable by sub-carpal tenotomy, but the reverse is the case in 

 true club-foot. Tenotomy is performed as follows: The animal 

 being narcotized with morphine and securely hoppled, the hair 

 shaved and skin cleansed, and cocaine injected locally, the skin is 

 incised longitudinally on one side of the tendon. The leg is next 

 flexed and the blade of a blunt-pointed tenotome inserted and di- 

 rected flatwise to the anterior border of the tendon. The cutting 

 edge of the blade is then turned towards the tendon, the leg is ex- 

 tended, and the tendon severed from before backwards. Any re- 

 sultant hemorrhage must be controlled by compression. Finally, 

 a light splint is applied to maintain the leg in extension while reunion 

 of the tendon is taking place. Nothing is done to the wound, which 

 heals in the course of a week, but provision should be made for 

 drainage in applying splints. 



TRAUMATIC LESIONS. 



Fractures. See The Osseous System. 



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