EPIPHYSEAL SEPARATION OF THE GREAT TRO-CHANTER, WITH REPORT OF A CASE

Abstract

Epiphyseal separation of the great trochanter is of such rare occurrence, and at the same time seems to be so dangerous and serious an injury, that the contribution of every case is well worthy of consideration.Therefore the recording of the following case observed by the author seems amply justified: Miss K., of Union Grove, Wis., aged n, states that one after¬ noon in February, 1904, while leaving school, she was violently thrown down on the floor by a school-mate, who pushed unex¬ pectedly from behind.During her fall she struck heavily upon her left hip.Although she felt considerable pain in the region of her left trochanter after the accident, she was able to limp home, a distance of about one mile.The following morning she was unable to arise from her bed, as every attempt to step on the left leg caused her great pain originating in the region of the left trochanter major and extending down to the knee.The physician who was called, made the diagnosis of contusion of the hip joint, and advised rest in bed for several days.Four weeks after the accident I saw the case in consultation with Dr. McCracken, of Union Grove, when the patient presented the following status:The girl while lying in bed could move her affected leg in all directions without discomfort.Upon pressure, however, on the region of the great trochanter of her left leg, she experienced con¬ siderable pain.Passive motion of the leg did not reveal any abnormalities in the' hip joint.When I asked the patient to get up and use her leg she was unable to do so, stating that it was impossible to step on the leg on account of pain originating in the region of the great trochanter, and extending to the inner side of ' Demonstrated before the Surgical Section of the American Medical Association, 1903.