View report page

28
APPENDIX II.
REPORT by Mr. TT. -T. SEDDON, Orthopeedic Surgeon.
The follow ing are notes of Hornsey cases admitted to tlie
lloyal National Orthopaedic Hospital's Country Branch at
Stanmore, Middlesex, during the year: —
(1) Girl, aged 6i, was re-admitted on 8.3.35 with rapidlyincreasing
lateral curvature of the spine, due to infantile paralysis.
The date of the original attack is not known, but it must have
occurred very early in life, as the child had never walked or
crawled. She was first admitted on 21.11.32 and remained in
hospital for eighteen months. During this period the condition
of the legs improved considerably, but there was little change in
the condition of the abdominal muscles, which were also affected.
It is the weakness of these muscles that has led to the development
of the spinal curvature, and we are afraid that nothing
can he done to correct this deformity. The child's legs are not
vet strong enough to enable her to walk and we are proposing
to transfer her to a Children's Home. It is possible that she
may learn to walk in two or three years' time, and if this proves
to be the case we shall consider admitting her again to see if
surgical treatment can improve her condition still further.
(2) Girl, age 13, was admitted on 8.7.35 for correction of
a deformity of the knee. This child also had infantile paralysis
early in life, which left her with a flail foot and a weakness of
the muscles controlling the knee. The foot was dealt with in
1934 and a satisfactory result was obtained. However, the weakness
of the knee still compelled her to wear a walking instrument;
an operation was performed on 12.7.35 to enable her to walk
without the instrument. The child was discharged on 22.11.35
ana her condition since then has been satisfactory.
(3) Boy, age Ifi, suffered from infantile paralysis in 1927,
which left him with partial paralvsis of the left leg and the right
foot. He was admitted on 1.10.34. and a stabilising operation
was performed on each foot. He was discharged on 4.4.35.
1 lir right foot is excellent, but there is still a residual weakness
"f the left knee, which makes an instrument necessary. It is
possible that we may be able to deal with this at a later date
"s in the last case.