Clinical observations on the value of Speranskys treatment of spinal pumping in infectious arthritis

ABSTRACT

In a small series of 17 cases of rheumatoid, gonococcic, and rheumatic arthritis, it was observed that spinal pumping, following the technic of Gillman and Gillman, afforded prompt and lasting beneficial results, producing complete recovery from the joint affection in 14 of the cases. These results tend to confirm the observations of Gillman and Gillman, and of the original author himself, Speransky, in his series of 100 cases with various forms of polyarthritisAll subjective and objective manifestations improved and disappeared as early as from 2 to 6 hours in certain cases, although as a rule it took 24 to 48 hours after the pumping for the remarkable effects to be well appreciated. The excellent results are less likely to be obtained in cases with marked bone involvement and ankylosis. The most frequent side-effect was headache, at times with chill and fever and even vomiting. It is our impression that these side-effects are sometimes due to incidental trauma, when the procedure cannot circumstancially be finished smoothly. Patients who have been bedridden for months, can be made to walk again in one to three days and be discharged walking perfectlyWith due regard to difficulties of evaluation, and considering the uniform results so far obtained in this small series, it seems that this apparently unorthodox form of treatment can be a valuable addition to our therapeutic armamentarium for various forms of arthritis, principally the infectious group. It is recommended, therefore, that it be given further trials, so that its benefit to arthritis seeking relief could be better evaluated. (Summary and Conclusions)