A treatise on orthopedic surgery . his may be, it iscertain that atrophy and retardation of growth are much greaterwhen a limb is not used than when by the aid of apparatus ithas been enabled to carry out, in part at least, its proper func-tion. It is evident, also, that retardation,of growth will be moremarked during the period of rapid development; thus, theyounger the patient the gTeater should be the ultimate inequal-ity of the limbs. Petahdatigjst of Growth.—The ultimate shortening variesfrom one to three inches. In the slighter degrees of paralysisaffecting the leg the sbortening may be
A treatise on orthopedic surgery . his may be, it iscertain that atrophy and retardation of growth are much greaterwhen a limb is not used than when by the aid of apparatus ithas been enabled to carry out, in part at least, its proper func-tion. It is evident, also, that retardation,of growth will be moremarked during the period of rapid development; thus, theyounger the patient the gTeater should be the ultimate inequal-ity of the limbs. Petahdatigjst of Growth.—The ultimate shortening variesfrom one to three inches. In the slighter degrees of paralysisaffecting the leg the sbortening may be less than an inch, butwhen the thigh muscles are paralyzed also it may be much more(Fig. 419). This inequality is usually very evident in the sizeof the two feet. When both limbs are paralyzed, so that locomotion is very 636 OBTHOPEDIC SUBGEBY. seriously interfered with, the retardation of growth is especiallymarked, and the contrast between the trnnk of the patient andthe attenuated lower extremities is very striking. Fig. Anterior poliomyelitis. Paralysis of muscles at the hip allows subluxation of thefemur. The same patient as in Fig. 420. CoMPEJfSATOEY DisTOETio]srs.—Secondary deformities mustinclude, besides those already mentioned, the compensatory dis-tortions of the trunk that may follow paralysis of the a short leg might cause a lateral curvature of the spine,or great flexion contraction of the thigh might induce abnormallordosis. As a matter of fact, the final effects of disabilities ofthis character are very complex, and are influenced by manyfactors of which only a general indication is practicable. Treatment.—The treatment of the acute stage of anteriorpoliomyelitis is symptomatic. If the diagnosis has been made^such measures as would tend to relieve the congestion about thediseased area should be employed; cathartics, sedatives, andcounter-irritation of the spine, for example; the first indica-tion being free catharsis and thecleansingof the
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Keywords: ., bookauthorwhitmanr, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1910
