DISEASES OF TEHDONS 221 



I 



controlled by tliat tendon. In serioiis inflammations, not only 

 scar tissue forms between the ruptured fibres of the tendon, 

 but adhesions with "neighboring parts, as other tendons and 

 tendon sheaths, occur. 



Mow do you explain the fact that in some cases of tendinitis 

 the tendon does not shorten, while it does in others f 

 Retraction of the scar tissue can only take place when one 

 «nd of the tendon is relaxed, so the scar tissue may take up 

 the slack, so to speak. 



Kjtive an example to this effect. 



Suppose that some part of the perf orans tendon is affected 

 and scar tissue forming. As a result of this, the animal has 

 pain and does not care to support much weight upon the lame 

 leg, as by doing so the tendon is rendered tense, which in 

 turn causes pain. To avoid pain the animal eases the ten- 

 sion upon the perf orans by more or less volar flexion of the 

 palangeal articulations — that is, knuckles over — resting the 

 hoof upon the toe. At this moment the perforans tendon is 

 «lack and the retracting scar tissue can therefore shorten the 

 tendon, which is impossible when full weight is borne by the 

 hoof, as under those circumstances there is no give to the ten- 

 don and consequently the scar tissue cannot retract. 



What practical deduction can he made from this 9 



Get your patient to support weight as soon as possible 

 ^ith the affected foot, to counteract the action of forming 

 «car tissue. 

 What are the terminations of tendinitis ? 



1. Complete recovery, only possible in very slight cases, j 



2. Partial recovery; in these instances the tendon remains 

 permanently thick; depending on the severity of the lesion. 



