Truss (medicine)
Encyclopedia
In medicine
, a truss is a kind of surgical appliance, particularly one used for hernia
patients. A truss provides support for the herniated area, using a pad and belt arrangement to hold it in the correct position.
Of historical interest, a variety of trusses are listed in the Snowden & Brother's catalog of the American Civil War era.
Early versions of the hernia truss were daunting contraptions made from leather and steel with metal springs. The 19th century Eggleston's Truss from Chicago was described as follows:
"Eggleston's Truss has a pad different from all others. It is cup-shaped, with a self-adjusting ball in the centre, and adapts itself to all positions of the body, while the ball in the cup presses back the intestines just as a person does with the finger. With light pressure the hernia is held securely day and night, and a radical cure is certain. It is easy, durable and cheap."
Later developments resulted in the Cluthe truss, described in Cluthe's Advice to the Ruptured, first published in 1912. This book also describes dozens of hernia cases which appeared to be cured by this relatively primitive truss. These cases are no longer considered to be scientific evidence, but are nevertheless encouraging testimonials for those with mild to moderate hernias who seek to follow the watchful waiting
alternative to immediate hernia surgery.
Nowadays most doctors and surgeons do not prescribe trusses. Even some of today's trusses use metal springs to apply pressure to the hernia, via a pad which can be quite hard, and usually bulges into the hernia. This inward bulging prevents the edges of the hernia from coming together and could, in theory, enlarge the hernia. Many trusses also do not fit well. It is difficult to design a truss which keeps the pad permanently in contact with the hernia. Unless a truss can achieve this purpose, the hernia may continue to enlarge.
Recent statistics on the incidence of long-term complications
after herniorrhaphy (hernia repair surgery) suggest that trusses may soon come back into fashion.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, a truss is a kind of surgical appliance, particularly one used for hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
patients. A truss provides support for the herniated area, using a pad and belt arrangement to hold it in the correct position.
Of historical interest, a variety of trusses are listed in the Snowden & Brother's catalog of the American Civil War era.
Early versions of the hernia truss were daunting contraptions made from leather and steel with metal springs. The 19th century Eggleston's Truss from Chicago was described as follows:
"Eggleston's Truss has a pad different from all others. It is cup-shaped, with a self-adjusting ball in the centre, and adapts itself to all positions of the body, while the ball in the cup presses back the intestines just as a person does with the finger. With light pressure the hernia is held securely day and night, and a radical cure is certain. It is easy, durable and cheap."
Later developments resulted in the Cluthe truss, described in Cluthe's Advice to the Ruptured, first published in 1912. This book also describes dozens of hernia cases which appeared to be cured by this relatively primitive truss. These cases are no longer considered to be scientific evidence, but are nevertheless encouraging testimonials for those with mild to moderate hernias who seek to follow the watchful waiting
Watchful waiting
Watchful waiting is an approach to a medical problem in which time is allowed to pass before medical intervention or therapy is used. During this time, repeated testing may be performed....
alternative to immediate hernia surgery.
Nowadays most doctors and surgeons do not prescribe trusses. Even some of today's trusses use metal springs to apply pressure to the hernia, via a pad which can be quite hard, and usually bulges into the hernia. This inward bulging prevents the edges of the hernia from coming together and could, in theory, enlarge the hernia. Many trusses also do not fit well. It is difficult to design a truss which keeps the pad permanently in contact with the hernia. Unless a truss can achieve this purpose, the hernia may continue to enlarge.
Recent statistics on the incidence of long-term complications
after herniorrhaphy (hernia repair surgery) suggest that trusses may soon come back into fashion.