340 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



plete reunion provided the lesion did not extend into the tendon 

 above or the ligament below so that the parts remained in apposition. 

 Where both tendon and ligament participated there resulted separa- 

 tion of the broken portion and ligamentous union. 



The Tibia and Fibula. Like the corresponding bones in the 

 anterior extremity, the tibia and fibula sustain fracture mostly in 

 the lower third. They require no modification of the general method 

 of treatment. Fractures of these bones heal very kindly. 



FSEUDARTHROSIS. 



When, through extensive overriding or defective immobili- 

 zation, approximation of the separated periosteum fails to take place, 

 the indispensable source of bone supply is wanting, and reunion 

 stops short at connective tissue formation without ossification, and 

 thus is produced a false-joint. This is particularly true in old ani- 

 mals in which the potency of the regenerative power is often im- 

 paired. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The symptoms of false- joint consist 

 of persistence of functional impotency of the affected member, and 

 mobility of the distal extremity but without crepitus or pain. 



Treatment. The best method of remedying the defect is by 

 resection operation, in which the false tissue is cut away, broken 

 down, or cauterized. With the animal under general anesthesia, the 

 part to be attacked is freely exposed by dissection. By means of 

 a gouge or curette the fibrous tissue is scraped away. The opera- 

 tion is completed by drilling the ends of the bone and suturing them 

 with silver wire, which will be found described more fully under 

 Fractures. (See also Osteoplasty). 



OSTEITIS. PERIOSTITIS. OSTEO-MYELITIS. 



Inflammation of bone will be better understood if it is remem- 

 bered that the essential element of osseous structures is connective 

 tissue, forming a framework which, in the bone proper, is impreg- 

 nated with earthy salts, in the central portion supports a vascular 

 nutritive medulla, and on the surface is modified by the presence 

 of an osteo-genetic or bone-constructive layer to form the perios- 

 teum, all parts freely intercommunicating by means of the Haver- 

 sian canal system. Because of this intimate connection, inflam- 



