The pendent limb in the treatment of joint diseases of the lower extremity / by A.B. Judson.

  • Judson, Adoniram Brown, 1837-1916.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The pendent limb in the treatment of joint diseases of the lower extremity / by A.B. Judson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    [Reprinted from the Transactions of the Medival Society of the State of New York, February, 1890.] C_— - * r *5 M V. i THE PENDENT LIMB IN THE TREATMENT OF TREATMENT OF JOINT DISEASES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY. By A. B. JUM6n, M.D., NKW YORK. The following figures, drawn from the last annual reports of two orthopedic institutions,1 illustrate au interesting fact, contain an important pathological doctrine, and enforce a practical lesson : Cases of Articular Osteitis. Hip, 558; Knee, 207; Ankle, 64 = 829. Shoulder, 7; Elbow, 16; Wrist, 3 = 26. It appears that in a single year 829 cases of disease occurred in the large joints of the lower extremity, while 26 cases occurred iu corresponding joints of the upper extremity. That this disproportion exists is a most interesting fact, one that has been under our eyes year after year aud only lately properly recognized aud emphasized. The pathological doctrine embodied is, that inflammation of the bony structures of a joint is readily and spontaneously resolved when favorably situated, as iu the upper extremity, where the part affected is absolutely exempt from the violence which falls on the structures of the lower limbs iu stand- ing and in locomotion. The practical lesson is the precept that in the very earliest incipieucy of disease of any of the joints of the lower extremity the weight of the body should be taken off from the affected limb until the inflammation is resolved, though it may take months and years. By the arts of mechanical surgery the affected member should be made constantly pendent and as little liable to strike the ground or receive the corporal weight as the arm, which swings free in locomotion and has never known the burden of the weight of the body. What application of mechanical or orthopedic surgery can be ' The New York Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled, and the New York Ortho- pedic Dispensary and Hospital.