DEFORMED HANDS AND FEET
Occasionally there is a webbing of one or more fingers of the hand, and there are sometimes seen too many fingers or a double thumb. It is needless to allow such a deformity to continue; the operation for relief is often remarkably successful and should be performed very early.
Clubfoot results when short tendons or contracted tendons pull the toes inward or outward with raising of the heel. Treatment must be instituted early; braces or splints are applied; and untiring efforts are put forth in massage and other lines to prevent a lifelong handicap of clubfoot.
An inward rotating of the legs presents the deformity of pigeon-toe. The normal foot naturally inclines toward "pointing in," and such a condition should not be discouraged. Many flat feet (broken arch) are due to shoe lasts which compel the toes to slant "out," and the bunions which so often follow such mistreatment may be exceedingly painful.
By all means place shoes on the pigeon-toed child that possess straight lasts with flexible arches, and which admit of the exercise of many muscles of the foot which otherwise remain inactive.
As the child grows older the toenails thicken, and often in their trimming they are cut so closely at the corners that sometimes a condition results known as ingrowing nails. Such are very painful and must receive special attention. First of all, the nail is cut squarely, and after scraping it thin the corner is lifted and cotton so placed under it that the nail's downward and inward growth is stopped.
SPINAL CURVATURE
Curvature of the spine is more common than is usually thought. The most frequent variety of it is the lateral curvature. One shoulder is lower than the other, and the hips are therefore uneven. Rickets, during infancy, is the most common cause of spinal curvature.
Improper sitting at school—sitting on the edge of the seat—or carrying heavy loads are often contributing factors to the production of lateral curvatures. Only the muscles and ligaments enter into this deformity, hence the treatment should be started early and should consist of:
- Stretching exercises.
- Hanging from the rounds of a ladder securely fastened to the wall.
- Certain applications of hot fomentations to the spinal muscles for their relaxation.
- Firm cushion placed under one or other of the hips to encourage the re-establishment of muscular poise.
- Special supervision of the case.