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ORTHOPÆDIC CLINIC
The following report from the Surgeon will provide a testimony which
needs no further comment :—
"This is one of the most satisfying of all clinics. Cases are seen in
their early stages, when simpler forms of treatment are successful in curing
them, and preventing permanent damage occurring. Long stays in hospital and
operations are thus avoided in later years, and schooling and careers are not
interfered with.
The type of case we are particularly anxious to see in the first few weeks
of the child's life is the 'club foot,' wry neck, and dislocated hip. These cases
are serious if left untreated, and the sooner treatment is commenced, the better
the ultimate result will be. Early treatment will minimise surgical operations
at a later stage of the child's life.
After the child had commenced walking, the postural deformities, such
as flat feet and knock knee are common. On the whole these are easy to treat
provided the Co-operation of the parents is obtained in bringing the children
to the clinic regularly.
It is particularly pleasing to see cases on their second or third examination
showing marked improvement.
Facilities are available for giving the majority of the treatments at the
clinic. The clinic is associated with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
who supply any instruments or special footwear and also cases requiring
operation are admitted to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
Cases requiring operations are, however, very few.
Vitamin deficiencies are now practically unknown and as a consequence
rickets is no longer an orthopaedic problem.
We hope that in the future with more and more attention being directed
towards prophylactic medicine, that all infants will be seen and treated at the
earliest possible stage, and thus reduce to a minimum deformities which remain
with them through adult life."
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