TRANSPLANTATION OF A PORTION OF THE TIBIA INTO THE SPINE FOR POTT'S DISEASE

Abstract

The following is a final development, from a series of studies, on the application of osteoplasty in the treatment of Pott's disease of the spine. I was induced to undertake this experimental work on the spine, on account of the excellent operative results obtained in tuberculosis of joints elsewhere in the body where bony union with its perfect support and immobilization has caused the tuberculous process to disappear so rapidly, although only a fractional part of the tuberculous tissues was removed. This has been especially exemplified in my ankylosing operation on the hip, when applied to tuberculous ostitis of that joint, and also in erasion of the knee under similar circumstances. The fact that it is only necessary to secure bony stiffening in tuberculous joints, by operation or otherwise, in order to get a rapid disappearance of tlie tuberculous process has been emphasized very strongly in the recent writings of