Injuries of joints / by Robert Jones.

  • Robert Jones
Date:
1915
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Injuries of joints / by Robert Jones. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/200 page 18
    of ligaments. This injury may occur anywhere in the extent of the ligament, either at one of its attach¬ ments or in the body of the ligament. All the general remarks about the nature of the processes at work made in the previous section apply to these injuries. First localize the injury accurately, then reduce effusion, and finally prevent repetition of the injury by preventing mechanical strain. The above two classes of injury should invariably end in recovery without any impairment of movement, the time occupied depending largely on the efficiency of the immediate treatment. In the more severe types of injury stiffness or ankylosis may arise as a result of efforts at repair. In such cases there must be added to the immediate treatment to secure repair of injured tissues, a care¬ fully considered scheme of after-treatment to restore freedom of movement. 3. Extensive Rupture of Ligaments, including Disloca¬ tion. In cases of dislocation, obviously, reduction of the displacement is the first consideration. Next, the joint must be left at rest to allow repair of the extensively torn soft tissue. This repair means a considerable deposit of new fibrous tissue. Short strong bands of fibrous tissue about a joint which impede freedom of movement are spoken of as ‘ ad¬ hesions ’, and a time may come when it is necessary to break down these adhesions. It is important to know the right time for doing this. It is unfortunate that in many text-books of surgery the phrase ‘ early passive movement ’ has been employed without
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