New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-22
TREATING BOW-LEGS And KNOCK-KNEES.
THE OPERATION OF osTEoToMY PERFORMED ON
CHILDREN AT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL.

THE OPERATION OF osTEoToMY PERFORMED ON
CHILDREN AT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
In one of the surgical wards of Bellevue
Hospital reporter OF THE TRIBUNE was surprised to
see about dozen children lying their backs, with
their feet bostered up their legs encased In spnts
and plaster of Paris. The Oldest child In the lot was
under five years of age, while the youngest was about
two years old
Every one OF these children has had both legs
broken" attendant said.
When were they injured Z" the reporter inquired
Eight of them had their legs broken to-day in this
room," was the reply.
tall Young man with fair hair and a smiling face,
who was introduced DIR. Fraser C. Fuller, member
of the Bellevue Hospital surgical staff. said: am re
sponsibe for treatment Of these little ones They
all were either bowegged or knock-kneed Their limbs
were much ont OF shape that they we're hardly able 10
walk II they had been permitted TO grow up without
surgical stcntiOn they would have become confirmed
crippes. They have been subjected TO the operation
known IA osteotomy. In the OF legged child
an ncision is made in the leg between the knee and
ankle The skin and underlying tissues arc cut through
with a knife far the bone Then an ordinary car
penters cblsel is used Tho bone Is cut about two
thirds OF the way through the chsel being hed some
what ollouely As soon as the chse withdrawn the
leg erasped firmly above and beloE the cut and the
bone is broken sufficiently TO permit the STRENGTHENING OF
the limb Bandsges and spllns are applied and set In
plaster keep the bone in the right position until the
fracture is healed The treatment is similar In the case
Of knock-kneed child, except that the bone Is broken
above the knee"
How long does take child to recover IRON such an
operation I"
"The bone is within four weeks after the fracture,
but the child IS permitted TO its limbs much for
several days after the splints are removed Walking Is
allowed by slow degrees. When the children able to
run about again. however their legs are straight as
those OF other boys and girls: ,,,, ,
There is comparatively little danger performing
such an operation on a child under OF age but
the rsk Increases the child grows older have been
operating upon all the bowlegged children we could get
here for year. None have died, ana those who have
been IN the hospital long enough to recover have gone
The chiIdrt suffer much under the operation Z"
"They are put under the influence OF ether while their
limbs being Strengthened, and they suffer much less
pain afterward than q grown person would under like
circumstances Notice the way string their heels up
above the level OF their heads That Is to prevent too
Illumination and lessensthe pain"
The children who lay their backs with their feet in
the air appeared TO be rather comfortable. Oncor two
were fretn hut the nurses said their uneas.ness
caused by forced nactlOn. Most Of the little ones were
the offspring OF poor Italians 1t was said that their
leg had become crooked because they had been per-
mtted wek alone too early ana because their bones
we're SOFT from lack of proper nonrishmcnt Dr. Fuller
exhibited photographs several children whom lie
had performed the operation OF osteo0my within year
Some of the pictures taken before the operation
and others after the children had recovered com
parison OF the pictures revealed wonderful Improvement
In one set pictures children represented with
both legs bowed badly that their knees were loot
apart when they stood with their feet close together
The other pictures showed the children with limbs
straight and we'll shaped An Increase In height AS well
as removal OF the deforny caused pleasing trans
formation. Among the children on whom Dr. Full r
operated several months are Della ana Victoria
Bedad twin daughters of French parents the Improve
ment In their marked that their mother has
visited the hospital several times TO express her gra-
hospital several Of the children improved quite as much
IN their and morals as 10 their physical appear
After their recovery some OF them were sent INTO
country, the expenses being paid by HE TRIBUNE
Fresh Air Fund.