The Interesting History Of Orthopedic Appliances

By Chelsea Evans


Orthopedics is a term that refers to the surgical specialty involving the treatment of various bone conditions and diseases. Although doctors have attempted to treat deformed or broken bones and associated diseases for several centuries, orthopedics as a modern specialty has primarily evolved throughout the 20th century. Orthopedic appliances are devices that are used to assist individuals with the aforementioned disorders to have a better quality of life.

Two Greek words were used to create the term orthopedics: paideia and orthos. The former refers to children and the latter means to make straight. It is thought that this may be an indication that the first specialists in this area mainly practiced on youngsters, possibly due to the tendency of children to break bones and experience similar injuries.

The first orthopedic institution was established in 1780 by a physician named Jean-Andre Venel. The establishment dealt primarily with skeletal abnormalities in youngsters. Venel is regarded by certain individuals as the first surgeon in the field of orthopedics.

In 1803, orthopedics was first introduced as a specialty by a French doctor named Nicholas Andry. This doctor primarily treated children's bone abnormalities, but also dedicated research to restoring individuals with injured or broken bones to their previous state. Additionally, Andry devoted a considerable amount of time to researching ways to prevent bone deformities in youngsters. His studies are commonly believed to have initiated what is now referred to as orthopedics.

In the mid-eighteen hundreds in France, the first plaster of Paris splint was put into use. It was created by a Dutch military surgeon named Antonius Mathysen. However, the use of intramedullary rods to set fractures of the tibia and femur were pioneered by a German doctor named Gerhard Kuntscher. The utilization of such procedures made a considerable difference in the length of time it took injured soldiers to recover during World War Two. The first joint replacement was introduced in nineteen sixty by Sir John Charnley, a scientist from England. By the mid-80s, procedures of this type were the most frequently performed bone surgeries.

Orthopedists in today's modern world treat bone fractures and bone related disorders. They also frequently treat patients with injuries obtained while participating in sports, as well as various types of arthritis. Although they are technically surgeons, they also use nonsurgical procedures and preventative measures, the latter which they teach their patients on a regular basis.

The American Orthopedics Review Board evaluates casework of all orthopedic surgeons for the purpose of obtaining statistical information. The most commonly performed bone surgery in 2008 was knee replacement surgery. This was followed by carpal tunnel procedures, cartilage surgery, also called shoulder and knee arthroscopy, and corrective surgery focusing on repairing thigh or hip fractures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States reported that in 2011, bone surgery was the most common procedure performed among all surgical specialties. Unfortunately, this may indicate that such disorders are occurring more often than in previous years.

Anyone in need of orthopedic appliances should seek the advice of a licensed, qualified professional. Although certain devices of this type can be purchased without a prescription, it is always best to speak to a specialist before making such a selection. Those suffering from bone or joint abnormalities or similar disorders should schedule an appointment with a qualified practitioner as soon as possible.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment