On the restoration of motion by forcible extension and rupture of the uniting medium of partially anchylosed surfaces / by Bernard E. Brodhurst.

  • Brodhurst, Bernard Edward, 1822-1900.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the restoration of motion by forcible extension and rupture of the uniting medium of partially anchylosed surfaces / by Bernard E. Brodhurst. 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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    swollen and painful during many months. At length it remained stiff and immovable. I found the entire limb somewhat diminished in size, the forearm slightly bent, and the elbow stiff and mo- tionless. There was neither enlargement of the ends of the bones nor thickening about the joint, or this existed to a very slight extent only. And from the sensation communicated on attempting to flex the fore- arm, I could not doubt that the adhesions which pre- vented motion were fibrous. Consequently, I proposed to rupture them, and carried this into effect November 12th. They gave way instantly, on applying force, with a crackling sound. Some pain followed the rupture, and the next day slight effusion was observed about the joint. This, however, had entirely subsided on the third day. Gentle motion was then borne without complaint, and it was continued until the eighth day, when extended move- ments were again made. Some tenderness of the joint followed, which necessitated quiet for some days. In- creased weakness was for a time felt, but motion was both more free and caused less pain. Passive motion was continued assiduously, and at the end of three months the movements of flexion and extension were almost perfect, and the power of motion existed to a considerable extent. She could now carry a spoon to her mouth with her right hand, which she had not pre- viously been able to do. Power of motion was gained slowly; yet, after a year and a half of unwearied atten- tion, a very useful joint was gained. I have again called attention to this subject for several 3