A treatise on orthopedic surgery . ndicated. Afterward support,forcible movements, and corrective exercises should be em-ployed. THE RHACHITIC SPINE. The rhachitic spine has been described in the considerationof the differential diagnosis of Potts disease. It usually de-velops during the first or second year of life, in children whosit the greater part of the time; it is, in fact, simply an exag-geration of the contour that is normal in the sitting typical rhachitic kyphosis is thus a rounded projection ofthe lower region of the spine, which is more or less rigid accord-ing to its
A treatise on orthopedic surgery . ndicated. Afterward support,forcible movements, and corrective exercises should be em-ployed. THE RHACHITIC SPINE. The rhachitic spine has been described in the considerationof the differential diagnosis of Potts disease. It usually de-velops during the first or second year of life, in children whosit the greater part of the time; it is, in fact, simply an exag-geration of the contour that is normal in the sitting typical rhachitic kyphosis is thus a rounded projection ofthe lower region of the spine, which is more or less rigid accord-ing to its duration. If the deformity is extreme there may be a NON-TUBERCULOUS AFFECTIONS OF TEE SPINE. 141 compensatory backward inclination of the head, which may beaccompanied by contraction of the posterior group of muscles, cervical opisthotonos. Treatment.^—Aside from the constitutional treatment of therhachitic condition, and from the measures that should be em-ployed to improve the nutrition of the muscles in general, the Fig. Rhachitic kyphosis. indications are to overcome the deformity and the limitation ofmotion of the spine; to support it, if necessary, during the stageof weakness; and to prevent, as far as possible, the postures thatfavor the distortion. The correction of the deformity may be accomplished by mas-sage and by direct manipulation of the spine. The child lyingface downward, on a table; one hand is placed on the projection,and with the other the legs are raised to throw the spine into aposition of overextension. This stretching is performed slowlyand carefully over and over again at morning and night, and 142 ORTHOPEDIC SUEGERY. the manipulation is followed by tliorongli massage of themuscles. If the deformity is marked and if the general rha-chitic process is still active, the recumbent posture, on a lightframe, in an attitude of overextension may be indicated as de-scribed in the treatment of Potts disease. For older subjects some form of light back brac
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Keywords: ., bookauthorwhitmanr, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1910
