Formation of a New Elbow Joint.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2054, 5 September 1885, Page 6 (Supplement)

Formation of a New Elbow Joint.

In a letter to the editor of the Scientific American a writer says I herewith transmit to you a record of one of the most brilliant operations in modern surgery, to whioh my attention was called upon its occurrence, and which I have watched with deep interest to its successful termination. On the 17th day of August last, John Danielson, a Swede, in tho employ of Palmer & Nichols, lumbermen, a short distance from this city, while engaged in aawing ft log was struck by ft falling tree and the log, produoing both dislocation and fracture at the same instant. The bonea composing the joint were broken into small fragments. Upon receiving the blow the man probably fainted, as thii was the last he remembered for several moments. This particular kind of injury has alw»ya been considered very grave, on account of the intense inflammation and swelling suooeeding. As ft rule, amputation ia resorted to at onoe, and in aggravated forms ia the only alternative. Mr Dtnlieaon was at onoe admitted to Meroy Hospital in thia city, under the care of the hospital mrrgeans, Drl. Gronerand Burkart. The day following the accident, the patient being under the influenoe of anesthetics, Dr. F. J. Groner performed the operation, assisted by his colleague, Dr. Burkart. The articulating surfaces of the humerus, together with about two inohes of the shaft of the bone, the head and neck of the radius, and the upper end of the ulna — all more or less crushed and aplintered— were removed ; the quantity of bone filling a sixteen ounce bottle. The wound was now dressed, by placing the arm in an obtuse angled aplint having • hinged joint corresponding with thftt of the elbow, so that at the proper time the forearm could be flexed or extended, and the position changed as required. A large douohe filled with iee water was suspended ftbove the patient, and a very small stream was allowed to drop on the coverings of the wound constantly for ten days, in order to prevent supervening inflammation. The patient waa placed upon a non-stimulating diet, and no unfavorable systems followed. In five weeks the wound was closed ; and in five months the patien-t began to work. At the preaent time Mr. Danielson has a very satisfactory elbow joint, whioh time will render still more perfect, slightly enlarged, but exceedingly useful, and he is again in the lumber woods, and fully capable of performing all kinds of labor.