[Crooked and short legs. Historical retrospect]

In the past rickets, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis of the knee joint were the main causes for deformities and shortening of the children's legs. Orthotics played a major role in treatment and rehabilitation, and they were often used for life. In the nineteenth century orthopaedic surgeons developed procedures such as tenotomy, osteoclasis, osteotomy, excision of joints and arthrodesis, combined with conservative therapy or instead of it. In an incessant attempt to control wound suppuration--before Lister's antiseptic principle and aseptic practices were available--the "subcutaneous" approach was inaugurated for tendon and bone surgery.