Page 98 - Manual of Equine Field Surgery

94 LIMB SURGERIES

Common digital
extensor tendon

Lateral digital

extensortendon

lnterosseous medius m.

(suspensory lig.)

Palmar

metacarpal
n. IV

Dorsal br.
of ulnar n. -S~

Lig. of

the ergot

Proximal Medial palmar a.v.
lig. of the (palmar common

ergot Lateral pal mar a. v. digital a.v. II)
(palmar common

lnterosseous digital a. v. 111) Medial palmar n.
medius

(suspensory lig.) Lateral palmar n.
~~v/.'ff DDFT>Within the digital

~~~~"-SOFT tendon sheath

/,,.L-,L--- Distal Ilg. of

the ergot

Figure 15-2 Anatomy of the distal splint bone.

fracture site and ending 2 cm distal to the distal

aspect of the splint bone. The distal end of the

splint bone is slightly rounded and can usually be

palpated directly. If the region is significantly

swollen, the opposite splint bone can often be pal-

pated and used as a rough estimate of the distal

landmark. The incision is then deepened to the

level of, but not through, the periosteum. In severe

cases, extensive scar tissue is present surrounding

the splint bone. The distal end of the splint bone

is identified and sharp dissection used to free it

from its distal attachment to the palmar fascia and

proximal ligament of the ergot (Figure 15-3). The

end is then grasped with a towel clamp or forceps,

. and a curved osteotome or chisel is used to

~""'u~·! sever the attachments to the third metacarpal or

Figure 15-3 Freeing the splint bone from its distal metatarsal bone (Figure 15-4). Care should be

attachments. taken to avoid damaging the dorsal metatarsal

artery in the pelvic limb, which may be difficult to

identify in cases with extensive fibrous tissue.

In some cases, the distal splint bone and frac-

tured portion can be freed past the fracture site