DISEASES OP TENDONS 223 



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are separated by a liquid exudate; later, as granulation tissue 

 develops, the swelling becomes firm, until finally it is hard. 



How do you palpate a tendon ? 



Always examine a tendon for thickening and for painful 

 states by raising that part of the leg off the ground, as it is 

 impossible to make a thorough examination — or one beyond 

 criticism — by allowing the anim.al to stand upon the affected 

 leg (see my work on " Clinical Diagnosis of Lameness in the 

 Horse," page 19). 



What tendons are usually affected by tendinitis ? 



The flexor tendons of the foreleg, more rarely those of 

 the hindleg, as the flexor pedis perf orans or more commonly 

 its strong stay coming from the great posterior ligament of 

 the carpus ; the suspensory ligament (superior sesamoidal 

 ligament) and the flexor pedis perforatus. 



OvMine the treatment of tendinitis. 



Rest is essential, with a run to grass if possible after the 

 lameness has disappeared. Shorten long toes, raise low heels 

 and remove toe calk.. The first two days, continuous cold; 

 later, moist warm applications, with a pressure bandage (take 

 two rolls of oakum, place them upon either side of the tendon 

 and apply the bandage). Change the dressing every four 

 hours ; by doing so a change of temperature takes place in 

 the affected parts, beneficially influencing the process of 

 absorption. Unless the case is clearly making a recovery 

 under this treatment, apply a blister, which, together with the 

 line firing, is at once applied to all chronic cases. In chronic 

 tendinitis with tendinous contracture, where the animal 

 knuckles over so completely in the fetlock that the flexor 

 tendons are no longer rendered tense, tenotomy may give 

 relief. Purulent states are treated by incision to give drain- 



