Miller Edwin Preston (1879-1928); pioneer of fracture biomechanics-a biographical vignette

Abstract

Miller Edwin Preston (1879-1928) is cited in the literature in connection with the first angled implant for the fixation of fractures of the femoral neck. Further research has shown that this surgeon emphasised the principles of internal fixation and is the author of several extraordinary and still-valid concepts: "There is no branch of surgery in which nature is more exacting than bone work. To be successful in this field, the cases must be carefully selected, the most rigid asepsis should be observed, the surgeon must possess a good working knowledge of anatomy and fully appreciate the laws of stress, strain and leverage. The internal fixation of a fracture is decidedly an engineering problem, as well as a surgical procedure, and it is probable that a larger percentage of failures have resulted from violation of mechanical laws than have been due to faulty surgical asepsis." However, his merit has never been fully appreciated and his name fell into oblivion.

Keywords: History of internal fixation; History of treatment of fractures of femoral neck; Miller Edwin Preston.