CONSTRUCTIVE THERAPY OF BONE AND JOINT TUBERCULOSIS

¹ J. N. Adam Memorial Hospital, Perrysburg, N. Y.

Tuberculosis of bones and joints, like all other local manifestations of this disease, should be regarded as the result of a generalized infectious process.

Treatment of the local manifestations becomes most effective when it mobilizes the patient's resistance against the systemic infection which preceded the local lesion. Such a therapeutic agent is available in the form of heliotherapy.

Immobilization is indicated for the correction of deformity and the relief of pain and muscle spasm. Definite departure from routine immobilization methods is indicated to prevent degeneration known to result from non-use.

Surgical measures may be indicated to improve function subsequent to healing of the tuberculous lesion.

The restoration of function is a more desirable end-result than ankylosis.

The privilege of making these observations was fostered by the combined efforts of two men. The keen vision and indomitable spirit of the late Dr. John H. Pryor resulted in the erection of the J. N. Adam Memorial Hospital for the application of heliotherapy to all forms of tuberculosis. Through the administrative and professional efforts of Dr. Horace Lo Grasso, the Superintendent, a sufficient number of cases have been treated under his direction since 1913 to firmly establish the indications for heliotherapy in tuberculosis. The writer therefore wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness for the advantages which have been so willingly extended to him.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. B. OSGOOD, N. ALLISON, R. SOUTTER, H. C. LOW, M. S. DANFORTH, L. T. BROWN, P. D. WILSON, and M. N. SMITH-PETERSEN TWENTY-FOURTH REPORT OF PROGRESS IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY Arch Surg, September 1, 1924; 9(2): 450 - 484. [Abstract] [PDF]