An Osteological Study of Disused Atrophic Bones after Childhood Poliomyelitis

Abstract

There have been few studies concerned with the influences on skeletal growth after paralytic diseases in childhood. Two Japanese adult male cadavers with disused atrophy of the limbs after childhood poliomyelitis were found in the anatomical dissection practice at Sapporo Medical College in 1984. In the present study, these skeletal materials were observed macroscopically and described according to the morphology of the disused atrophic bones.The morphological features of the involved parts of the skeletons were observed as the following.1) In the atrophic (left) humerus of case1, the maximum length and epiphyseal breadth were about 80 percent of the healthy side. The sagittal and transverse diameters of the mid-shaft were about 50 percent of the healthy side (Table 2). On the other hand, in the lower limb of case 2, the maximum length of the atrophic side (left side) was almost 90 percent. The diameters and circumferences of the shaft were 70-80 percent of the healthy side (Table 3). Therefore, in the atrophic long bones, the growth of the bone length and breadth was suppressed. The transverse growth of the long bones was more markedly disturbed than the axial growth.2) The cross sections of the long bones were smaller and had oval circular shapes without any edges (Figs. 1 and 2). The ridges for the insertions and origins of muscles and the interosseous borders could not be found in proportion to the degree of the paralysis. The left femur of case 1 had a pilaster formation, though the quadriceps femoris muscle was paralyzed and only the adductor muscles seemed to act on the linea aspera.3) Meanwhile, the epiphyseal regions, offering the attachments for the ligaments, were relatively well developed. Some articular areas of the involved side were deformed with the increased convexity of the articular surface.4) In addition, HARRIS'S lines (transverse lines) were observed at the distal ends of the left tibia and fibula in case 2 (Fig. 3). This is of interest from the viewpoint of the etiology of HARRIS'S lines and bone remodeling.