The pain following will depend on the severity of the injury, but will
keep up more or less constantly for several days. When severe, relief
is often given by introducing the finger and relaxing contracted tissue
which is pulling it from its position. Hot water bags placed next to
the part will be of benefit. The bowels should be kept confined for
forty-eight hours if possible in cases of fracture. Watch carefully the
progress of union that the bones are _in situ_ so there will not be
deformity.
In diagnosing the first injury be sure that there is no splitting
of the first segment or splinters which may require surgical
interference. In old cases of fracture where there is complete bony
ankylosis it is not justifiable to attempt any change, but where there
is motion and a fibrous union, after preparatory treatments about one
week apart, it can usually be replaced. Look well to any muscular
contractions which might interfere with it. Force must never be used
nor any attempt to replace until it has been first released from its
articular attachment. In the various forms of =displacement= the same
technique applies as in fractures, or the finger and thumb of one hand
may be used, the tip of the finger internally at the sacro-coccygeal
articulation and the thumb externally at the same point. Complete
control of the part is secured in this manner. Great care must always
be used in treatment of any displacement of the coccyx. Contractions
of its muscular attachments will often cause deviations in contour.
Removal of the irritation and relaxation will allow it to assume its
normal position.
=The sacrum.=—Adjustments of the sacrum as distinguished from the
ilium in strictly innominate lesions are not many. When posterior with
the patient on a stool the knee of the osteopath coveted by a pillow
and placed against the sacrum and both hands grasping the anterior
borders of the ilia, strong traction will move it into position. In a
downward displacement with the aid of an assistant from behind holding
the crests of the ilia firmly as the patient sits on the table, the
osteopath in front clasping both arms about the patient and with a
rocking motion from side disengages the sacrum and at the same time
lifts it into position.
For anterior displacements use the technique described in replacing
upward and backward innominate dislocation first right side and then
left, which will result in correcting the lesion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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