A practical treatise on hip-joint disease : with reference especially to treatment, by mechanical means, for the relief of contraction and deformity of the affected limb / by William Curtis Hugman.

  • Hugman, William Curtis, 1816-1887.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A practical treatise on hip-joint disease : with reference especially to treatment, by mechanical means, for the relief of contraction and deformity of the affected limb / by William Curtis Hugman. 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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    consulted for him in July last, but did not commence treatment until October. Taking together the facts that all active symptoms had subsided nine months, and that nothing had been attempted for his rehef since that time, on account of the supposed bony union between the head of the femur and the acetabulum, I entertained but very slight prospect of benefiting the case; but ventured to hope that, at his early age complete anchylosis was not likely to have taken place; and in this, happily, I was not mistaken; for in less than a month a marked improvement was visible. The joint gradually unlocked, and now, for the first time since the commencement, he was able to bend the limb, and could sit down comfortably. Hitherto, from the peculiar state of the deformity, the child was obliged to stand resting on his crutches, or to recline on a sofa, as sitting upon a chair was impossible. It is unnecessary to describe the gradual progress of the case, which has been most satisfactory. He was soon able to sleep upon the couch, and, with the help of the hip-shield, and heavy sand bags, the direction of the limb is now (March 27th) as nearly natural as possible. He can plant the foot on the ground quite parallel with the other, and can rest his weight upon it, but requires the help of his crutches for progression, which will probably be necessary for several months to come. All the natural movements of the hip-joint are performed, but in a less degree. The muscles of the thigh have lost much of their substance, and consequently considerable weakness of the limb re-
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