Contraction Of Sinews

Sources: Papers On Health

This often occurs at the knee, bending the

joint so that the patient cannot stretch his limb or walk properly. The

injury in such a case is usually at the ends of the sinews, where they

are inserted into the bone. If the limb be straightened and put up in

splints, so as to secure perfect rest, it is well to see that once

every twenty-four hours it be removed from its fastenings and treated

in some way to obtain a cure. Otherwise the whole limb will harden into

a straight and unbendable condition, worse than its original bend. When

the fastenings are removed, then, each day, let the limb be rubbed and

bathed for an hour. Treat the whole body with soaping and oil rubbing

(see Lather and Massage). While bathing the limb it is to be rubbed

with this soap, and the lather rubbed gently into all the skin. Rub,

after soaping and drying, with hot olive oil. Dry this off, and wrap

the limb in warm flannel. With this treatment no splints or plaster

jackets are at all likely to be required. The limb usually soon comes

right.



Sometimes this contraction affects the hip joint, and causes great

distress and lameness. The upper end of the thigh bone is even

sometimes drawn a little out of its proper position. For this, the

muscles of the back, and specially of the side and hip which is lame,

are rubbed with gentle pressure and hot olive oil as often and as long

as may be convenient. Strong fomentations are also applied for

half-an-hour daily (see Armchair Fomentation). We know of one case in

which this treatment has cured such contraction both of the knee and

hip joint. Whether the cause be rheumatism or other trouble, or an

injury, the treatment is the same.