Snyder sling
The Snyder sling ( Snyder Sling ) is an aid to relieve the hip joint in children who suffer from Perthes disease.
It is named after the US doctor Clarence H. Snyder, who described the sling in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery in 1947. It is a belt that is passed over one shoulder and is so long that the lower leg can usually be hung at the level of the ankle. The foot remains unshod. When the child is standing upright, the lower leg should hang horizontally. The children then use forearm crutches .
The sling makes it easier for those affected to walk without putting the affected leg down. Incorrect strain on the hip joint is also avoided because the leg can be kept completely relaxed. The sling is a promising alternative for children who do not accept the ban on exercise.
The permanent flexion position can be disadvantageous if it is not compensated for by physiotherapy . Newer slings avoid this disadvantage by using flexible straps.
The Snyder Sling is widely used in Japan.
variants
There are variants of the noose. For example, the load on the leg can be distributed over two shoulder straps (trouser straps). For girls there is the option of covering the noose under dresses or skirts.
In the USA a corresponding sling (not specific for Perthes disease patients) is marketed as Webb's Leg Sling .
The sling can also be used when small children are dependent on crutches due to leg or foot injuries and have difficulty coordinating due to their age.
literature
- CH Snyder: A sling for use in Legg-Perthes disease. In: J Bone Joint Surg Am . 29, 1947, pp. 524-526. ( pdf )
See also
Thomas splint , Braad plaster and Petrie-Cast
