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Home Medical and Vet Remedies, as Recommended by 19th and 20th century Doctors and Vets! |
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Home Medical and Vet Remedies, as Recommended by 19th and 20th century Doctors and Vets! |
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Dislocations.The bones whose ends come together to form a joint are usually thicker at the ends than in the middle or shaft. This enlargement of the end of the bone serves to increase facility of movement by offering a larger surface, and also to afford attachment for the structures which bind the bones together. If we select for example the shoulder-joint, we find that the end of the arm bone is larger than the shaft, and that it has a large rounded surface which rests against a concave surface in the shoulder-blade. The ends of the bones do not lie in actual contact. Each is covered with a thin layer of cartilage, or " gristle," which is more elastic than the bone itself. The adjoining ends of the bones are furthermore bound together by strong, firm bands, called ligaments. These permit a certain amount of movement between the adjoining surfaces, though they do not allow the ends of the bones to be drawn apart. In order to diminish the friction between the ends of the bones which move over each other, a little bag or sac is inserted between these ends, and its inner surface kept moist by a watery fluid. In addition to these structures, which belong to the joint itself, there are certain accessory structures which are often of great importance in maintaining the form and strength of the joint. These are the tendons or " sinews," which pass over from one bone to another and serve to keep these bones in their proper position. Whenever the adjoining surfaces of the bones constituting a joint become separated, the condition is termed a dislocation. Dislocation may be partial or complete, according to the amount of the displacement which has occurred between the adjacent ends of the bones. Dislocations are in most cases caused by violence ; and hence they may be complicated with wounds of the flesh and with fractures of the bone. In some instances dislocations occur without any external violence, but simply from the contraction of muscles. The injury inflicted by a dislocation depends upon the violence which has been employed to accomplish it. In severe cases there occurs not simply a displacement of the bones, but also a laceration and destruction of the other tissues which enter into the ormation of the joint ; the ligaments which bind together the ends of the bones are torn ; the sac which lies between the adjacent bones is ruptured, and sometimes the tendons and muscles wrhich surround the joint are lacerated. If the ends of the bones themselves escape injury, the usefulness of the joint can usually be perfectly restored by proper treatment ; the ligaments, tendons and muscles heal perfectly. If the ends of the bones be crushed or injured, the usefulness of the joint is rarely restored completely. If the dislocated bone is not replaced, but lies in the vicinity of its former position, a new false joint is often formed, very similar to the true one, and permitting a considerable amount of motion. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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