The non-operative treatment of delayed union in fractures of the leg / by John Ridlon.

  • Ridlon, John, 1852-1936.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The non-operative treatment of delayed union in fractures of the leg / by John Ridlon. 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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    splint at the end of the third week as it was somewhat un- comfortable. The lower portion of the splint, which acted only a£a lateral support, he continued to wear for about five months. The patient recently volunteered the statement that he believes that the delay in union was due to constantly moving the bones at the point of fracture within the plaster splint during the first weeks of the treatment. Case II.—William D , aged twenty-two, unmarried, no constitutional disease, presented for treatment at the Vanderbilt Clinic on September 8, 1890, and on the 22d of the same month was transferred to my care. In reply to inquiries as to his early history Dr. William T. Bull writes, under date of November 26th : “ The history of William D is now in the hands of the binders, but I give you the following from my own remembrance, and that of my house surgeon at the New York Hospital. William D , aged twenty-two, admitted to New York Hospital May 26, 1890, history of having been run over by a wagon. Examination reveals a compound comminuted fracture of the right leg at the middle and lower thirds. A large lacerated wound anteriorly, through which the bones project. Great displacement. Much contusion and laceration of soft parts. Under ether, loose fragments removed, bones replaced, hemorrhage stopped, thorough drainage at all dependent points. Plaster splint over antiseptic dressing. Rise of tempera- ture necessitated change of dressing at end of forty-eight hours. Volkmann’s splint applied for three weeks, then plaster splint with fenestrum and frequent dressings. Wounds gradually closed. Delayed union. Necrosis. Discharged by superintendent of hospital for insubordina- tion August 5, 1890. Had walked on crutches, partly on leg, for three or four weeks before discharge. Some deformity and delayed union on discharge. I am not certain whether all sinuses were closed. Plaster splint on leg on discharge/’ When the patient came under my care on September