A treatise on surgical therapeutics of domestic animals by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Veterinary surgery, Therapeutics, Surgical
Publisher: New York, W. R. Jenkins
Published: 1906-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

Fig. 71. Rupture of the tendons of the flexors of the phalanges. (From a photograph.)

ment, and of the sesamoid ligaments; accidents which seemed to have been prepared by a " hyper^mic " condition of these organs. In these cases, however, it is possible that they were only sudden ruptures of sound tendons, due to the enormous load carried by these little animals, or ruptures which were also promoted by the formation of their hind quarters, and the bad condition of the roads over which they traveled.'

1 The trouble is quite common in America and many veterinarians have recorded cases relating to it. Among the many is that of Dr. R. Kay, where the perforans tendon and the sesamoid ligaments of three legs of a gelding were successively affected.—(Amer, Vet. Rev., vol. 8, page 334,)

TENDtNOllS kUMtJREg. ^Oj

The symptomatic manifestations vary In their severity, as the rupture is simple or double, complete or incomplete; when both tendons are divided, they are very marked. Most commonly the tendon gives way below the fetlock, in the fold of the coronet, and sometimes on a level with the metacarpo-phalangeal joint.

Whatever the location, complete rupture is always clearly marked by the dropping of the fetlock (fig. 71).

For horses suffering with a severe lesion of an anterior extremity so that they have only one sound fore leg for support, Serres recommended the reclining position or suspension in a sling, thus avoiding the softening of the flexor tendons. It would also be advantageous to envelop the sound leg from the foot to the knee in cold water bandage or compress.

In incomplete ruptures, difficult td diagnose (Degives), immobilization with a bandage is an important measure, and is, ordinarily, sufficient to bring on recovery.

Complete rupture is, generally, an incurable lesion demanding that the animal should be destroyed, since, in the majority of cases, extremely serious comphcations accompany it (chronic tendinitis, tendinous quittor, synovitis, navicular disease). In Mollereau's horse, both sesamoid sheaths were inflamed and the tendons softened; the tendinous and ligamentous apparatus of the metacarpo-phalangeal and interphalangeal joints showed marks of high inflammation with advanced softening of the tissues; the perforans was diseased from the fetlock to the semi-lunar crest j the lesions increased in severity from upwards downwards, as tar as the sesamoid sheath. The tendinous tissue was, as it were, dissociated, broken up into its constituent fibres; it was purple in color, with numerous ecchy-motic spots here and there on its front face and through its substance. The same lesions existed on the semi-lunar crest.

Interference is only proper in cases where the structure is not altered in accidental rupture. According to Rodet, this is not a rare occurrence on the hind legs " from violent efforts to overcome an obstacle or from a rapid gait."

The treatment then requires the application of a special apparatus or an immovable bandage to prevent the dropping backward of the fetlock. (See Wounds of the Flexor Tendons.)

VI. — Suspensory Ligament.

The investigations of Barrier and Poy have shown that the suspensory ligament is frequently the seat of lacerations.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.