Right femur showing separation of the distal epiphysis
Object numberGC.11977
TitleRight femur showing separation of the distal epiphysis
DescriptionFemur, right, showing separation of the distal epiphysis.
From a boy aet 13 years who had. fallen from a joist to the floor below, his leg going through the flooring. The condition was considered to be a simple fracture of the femur and treated as such. Considerable constitutional disturbance followed with hectic temperature, rapid pulse, and dry tongue and 14 days after the accident deep sloughs formed on the medial side of the knee. On the following day the bone was found protruding through the integuments and separation of the epiphysis was obvious and next day be died. An immense abscess was found to communicate with the knee joint and. to extend nearly to the hip.
With the septic cellulitis an acute septic osteomyelitis has followed the accident and the pus has stripped the periosteum from the popliteal area and from the corresponding lateral aspect of the femur. A separation at the epiphysis has taken place but perhaps subsequent to the suppuration. Proximal to the area of subperiosteal suppuration a little new bone has formed but the illness has been too acute to allow of much repair. The articular surface does not show changes usually found in an acute infective arthritis but the abscess may only have gained access to the knee shortly before death.
Object nameBONE, femur, lower end, adolescent
Object categoryAnatomical, specimen
Dimensions
- Height: 40 cm
Width: 10 cm