Osteotomy and osteoclasis for deformities of the lower extremities / By Charles T. Poore.

  • Poore, Charles T.
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Osteotomy and osteoclasis for deformities of the lower extremities / By Charles T. Poore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    be marked on the flat surface every half-inch from the edge, in order that the distance that the instru- ment has penetrated the bone may be known. A large handle is also of advantage, as it can be grasped more easily. The best width is half an inch. It is well to be provided with three osteotomes of the same width, but of different thickness, in order that, if the largest gets wedged, it may be withdrawn and replaced by the next smaller, to be again replaced by the third if it be found necessary. I also have an osteotome of the same shape, but only one quar- ter of an inch wide, for section of the fibula or any small bone. Most of the osteotomes found in instrument- stores are not made properly. They have a bulge just above the cutting edge, like a post-mortem chisel. In some trials made upon the cadaver with such an instrument it was found that the bone was invariably splintered at right angles to the line of desired section, the fracture extending several inches above or below the instrument. This was due to the thickness of the chisel just above its cutting edge acting too much like a wedge. The force required to drive such an instrument into the bone is much greater than with one made with straighter lines. An instrument properly made can be driven into the bone without turning from its direction. The mallet should be made heavier than those sold in necrosis cases. In fact, a good-sized carpen- ter's mallet is the best. A sand pillow, about six by eight inches square and three quarters filled with sand, and covered over with rubber cloth, complete the special outfit.