Fractures, dislocations, diseases and deformities of the bones of the trunk and upper extremities / by Hugh Owen Thomas.

  • Thomas, Hugh Owen, 1834-1891.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fractures, dislocations, diseases and deformities of the bones of the trunk and upper extremities / by Hugh Owen Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    In the last of the two preceding sketches is given an example of a case where, soon after puberty, the short extremity ceased to grow, or it grew more slowly, so that a great increase of disproportionate shortening was inevitable. If the surgeon is not prepared with an explanation of this, the patient will often think that other advice should be sought for, as he may suspect the treatment was, or has become, inoperative. The Treatment of Spinal Deformities.—I am convinced, as Roth also maintains, that for the treatment of lateral spinal curvature, unconnected with disease, mechanical appliances are worse than useless, as they restrain muscular development, and do not, in the slightest degree, correct the deformity.* There appears to me to be only one method that may keep the spine straight or lessen an already formed curve; to maintain the pelvis horizontal, by correcting the unequal lengths of the lower extremities, which is best done by adding so much more height to the heel or heel and sole of the boot of the shorter extremity, increasing the height from time to time, until the adult period of life is arrived at, when the patient can elect to continue the supplement, and have the spine straight, or to diminish it, and be content * I had the advantage of having a demonstration, by Dr. Roth, of his method of developing the muscles of the trunk, and it is my opinion that his system of treatment must answer the purpose aimed at, as by it the deformed skeleton becomes better covered, so that an already formed defect is less noticeable and less felt by the patient, and the extra muscular power developed by his treatment enables the patient to undo while in the sitting position (as the pelvis is then hori- zontal) the compensatory curve consequent on long standing with the pelvis, supported by two props of unequal length.