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Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
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[Crooked and short legs. Historical retrospect]
1Medizinhistorisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Schweiz. mhizli@mhiz.unizh.ch
Der Orthopade
|November 25, 2000
Summary
Historically, childhood leg deformities from diseases like rickets and polio were treated with lifelong orthotics. The 19th century saw surgical innovations like osteotomy and a shift towards subcutaneous procedures to combat infection before modern antiseptics.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pediatric Deformity Correction
- History of Medicine
Context:
- Past treatments for childhood leg deformities (rickets, polio, tuberculosis) relied heavily on orthotics.
- 19th-century orthopaedic surgery introduced procedures like tenotomy, osteoclasis, osteotomy, joint excision, and arthrodesis.
- Early surgical approaches aimed to manage wound suppuration before the advent of Lister's antiseptic principles.
Purpose:
- To review historical treatments for pediatric leg deformities.
- To highlight the evolution of surgical techniques in orthopaedics.
- To understand the development of subcutaneous surgery in the pre-antiseptic era.
Summary:
- Rickets, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis were primary causes of pediatric leg deformities and shortening.
- Orthotics were a cornerstone of treatment and rehabilitation, often for life.
- 19th-century surgeons developed various operative procedures, often utilizing a subcutaneous approach to mitigate infection risks.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the historical progression of orthopaedic interventions for pediatric limb deformities.
- Illustrates the challenges and innovations in surgical practice before modern aseptic techniques.
- Provides context for the development of current orthopaedic surgical standards and treatments.
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