Phemister

Phemister's triad is a set of three symptoms that are typically present in cases of tuberculosis of the hip. It was first described by Dallas B. Phemister, an American surgeon. The triad includes joint pain, limp, and fever.

History

Dallas B. Phemister was an American surgeon who first described the triad of symptoms in 1949. He was a professor of surgery at the University of Chicago and made significant contributions to the field of orthopedic surgery.

Symptoms

The three symptoms of Phemister's triad are:

• Joint pain: This is often the first symptom and is usually localized to the hip. It may be constant or intermittent and is often worse with movement.

• Limp: This is a common symptom and is due to the pain and inflammation in the hip. It may be noticeable only after physical activity or may be present all the time.

• Fever: This is not always present but can occur if the tuberculosis infection is active. It may be low-grade or high-grade and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Phemister's triad is based on the presence of these three symptoms and confirmation of tuberculosis infection. This can be done through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays and blood tests.

Treatment

Treatment for Phemister's triad involves treating the underlying tuberculosis infection. This usually involves a course of antibiotics and may also include pain management and physical therapy for the hip.

See also

• Tuberculosis
• Joint pain
• Limp
• Fever

Phemister Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.