574 
INFLAMMATION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 
Similar stretching of the flexor tendons is sometimes seen after 
neurectomy performed whilst the tendons are inflamed. The ordinary 
weight of the body may then cause stretching of the tendon, or of the 
cicatricial tissue newly formed within it. Moller has seen this after 
neurectomy of the tibial nerve while the tendons were inflamed. 
Course. The disease always occurs suddenly, and the anatomical 
structure of the tendons explains its subsequent chronic course. After 
strain or rupture, isolated haemorrhages and hypersemia of the tendon 
set in, and are followed by serous infiltration into the interfascicular 
Fig. 211.—Excessive “knuckling over ” in a horse (from a photograph). 
connective tissue and paratendineum. The fasciculi of the tendon are 
thus thrust asunder, and predisposed to further rupture. At the seat 
of serous infiltration numerous leucocytes afterwards appear (plastic 
infiltration), causing the swelling, which is at first soft, to assume a 
harder character. On section the parts display greyish white, some¬ 
times greyish red, masses of connective tissue. In consequence of 
extravasation of leucocytes into the spaces of the firm connective tissue 
thickening results, which may lead to shortening of the tendon, as 
the newly-formed tissues contracts, whilst the paratendinitis leads to 
adhesion with neighbouring tissues. The tendon gradually becomes 
permeated with blood-vessels; ossification has sometimes been seen and 
parasites met with in inflamed tendons. 
