POSTERIOR DISLOCATION OF LOWER FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS IN BREECH DELIVERY

Abstract

Hartshorn¹ said that traumatic periostitis might follow breech delivery. Snedecor, Knapp and Wilson² reported an occurrence of traumatic ossifying periostitis after such a delivery. They reported 4 cases, the major symptoms in which were pain, swelling, limitation of motion and discoloration of the affected part. The humerus and the femur were the bones involved. Diagnosis was made late, by means of the roentgenogram. The babies were all first-born children, and it is to be assumed that the deliveries were more difficult than is usual in the case of a multipara delivered by similar presentation. Recovery was spontaneous within four to twelve weeks, and no special treatment beyond heat and the prevention of contracture was required. The injury was due, in their opinion, to (1) too strong traction on the extremity; (2) a twisting pull on the limb; (3) inequality of distribution of traction in bringing down both feet,