Interesting Facts And Information About Orthopedic Appliances

By Chelsea Evans


Orthopedics is a word used to refer to the surgical specialty that involves bones and joints, as well as conditions or abnormalities that may affect these parts of the body. Although physicians have attempted to treat bone fractures, joint deformities, and similar conditions for thousands of years, it was not until the twentieth century that orthopedics evolved as a primary specialty. Orthopedic appliances are sometimes used to help patients with the aforementioned conditions to enjoy 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.

Orthopedics as a specialty was first introduced in 1803 by Nicholas Andry, a French doctor. He primarily treated bone deformities in children, and also devoted time to those with broken or injured bones in an attempt to restore them to their previous state before the injury occurred. Andry also dedicated a substantial amount of time to research, during which he specifically searched for ways to prevent childhood deformities. His research is widely believed to have initiated what is now called the orthopedic specialty.

The first plaster of Paris cast was used in France in 1851, which was invented by Dutch military surgeon Antonius Mathysen. Gerhard Kuntscher of Germany pioneered the use of intramedullary rods to treat tibia and femur fractures. Such procedures made a significant difference in the recovery time of injured soldiers during World War II. Joint replacements were first introduced to the world in 1960 by English scientist Sir John Charnley, and by the mid 1980s such procedures were the most frequently performed orthopedic surgeries.

Today's modern orthopedists treat bone-related diseases and bone fractures. Orthopedists also treat those who are suffering from arthritis or sports injuries. Although trained and licensed as surgeons, orthopedists use both surgical and nonsurgical procedures, and teach patients preventative measures.

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.

Those in need of orthopedic appliances are wise to avail themselves of the services of a qualified, licensed professional. Although some devices of this kind can be bought without a prescription, speaking to a specialist prior to selecting such an item is in one's best interest. Individuals suffering from joint or bone abnormalities or similar problems should seek the advice of a qualified medical practitioner without delay.


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