Neurectomy

Question 1

What is sweeny?

Answer 1

A layterm for paralysis of the suprascapular nerve which innervates the supra- and infraspinatus muscles.

Question 2

Describe the appearance of sweeny.

Answer 2

Supra- and infraspinatus muscles atrophy, revealing the spine of the scapula.

Question 3

How soon after nerve damage do you see muscle atrophy associated with Sweeny?

Answer 3

7-14 days

Question 4

What is the basic idea behind treating sweeny?

Answer 4

Decompress the nerve

Question 5

How is decompression of the suprascapular nerve achieved?

Answer 5

Remove a small bit of the edge of the scapula to allow more space for the nerve.

Question 6

What 3 things is a palmar digital neurectomy used to relieve pain from?

Answer 6

Navicular dz
Fx of navicular bone
Selected fractures of the distal phalanx

Question 7

What animals can you not perform a palmar digital neurectomy on?

Answer 7

Any animal that is a professional athlete, considered a form of doping.

Question 8

What is navicular dz?

Answer 8

Chronic, progressive dz affecting the navicular bone, bursa and sometimes the DDF.

Question 9

What are 3 signs you might see with navicular dz?

Answer 9

Short stride
Toe bruising (toe of hoof capsule will be more worn down)
Response to hoof testers

Question 10

How might hoof trimming help navicular dz?

Answer 10

Helps balance the foot.

Question 11

Why can we not give phenylbutazone to horses in the UK?

Answer 11

Because they are food animals and if it’s in the meat, it can cause aplastic anemia in people.

Question 12

What are two things to look for when surgically approaching a nerve?

Answer 12

The nerve will pucker

Surface will reveal striation

Question 13

Briefly describe the guillotine technique for a palmar digital neurectomy.

Answer 13

Nerve is cut distally, stretched and then while still stretched, it is cut proximally.

Question 14

How many days do you treat with antibiotics post neurectomy?

Answer 14

3 days

Question 15

What are 4 complications of a palmar digital neurectomy?

Answer 15

Painful neuroma
Reinnervation
Persistence of sensation
Loss of hoof wall

Question 16

Post neurectomy, what must you emphasize to the owner about checking their horse?

Answer 16

REALLY need to check the feet every day, if they step on a nail or anything, the horse won’t feel it and this can be catastrophic.

Question 17

How soon might a neurectomy reinnervate?

Answer 17

As soon as 1 year to as long as 3 years.

Question 18

What is a stringhalt?

Answer 18

Hyperflexion of the hock and stifle joints.

Question 19

What is the surgical treatment for stringhalt?

Answer 19

Lateral digital extensor tenotomy.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the peroneus tertius muscle?

Answer 20

Part of the reciprocal apparatus (simultaneous hock and stifle flexion)

Question 21

What can you see in a horse with a ruptured peroneus tertius, that you would not see in a normal horse?

Answer 21

Stifle can flex without hock flexion.

Question 22

What is the treatment of a ruptured peroneus tertius?

Answer 22

Stall rest for 2 months.

Question 23

What is the prognosis of a horse with a ruptured peroneus tertius?

Answer 23

Guarded