The History of Orthopedics in the Long Term: From General Medicine to Medical Specialties

Abstract

A thorough literature search was done in PubMed and Google Scholar as well as in physical books in libraries to summarize the literature on the history and evolution of medicine and orthopedics. The philosophical ideas that emerged in ancient Greece served as a foundation for the development of medicine. In the 5th century BC, the schools of Knidos and Kos emerged as influential centers for the development of medical thinking. The field of orthopedics can be traced back to early human civilizations. Ancient Egyptians perpetuated the tradition of employing splinting techniques. Hippocrates provided insights for the diagnosis, correction and treatment of many musculoskeletal entities. The field of medicine experienced a period of limited advancement during the Middle Ages. The Renaissance provided for the foundation of modern orthopedics and important contributions to the understanding and implementation of antisepsis. The discovery of x-ray and advancements in infection control and anesthesia have shown substantial progress in the domain of orthopedics and have contributed to the development of orthopedic subspecialization. Orthopedic surgery holds a historical lineage deeply entrenched in ancient practices and early human civilizations. Physicians specializing in orthopedics should be aware of the historical origins of their discipline and continue to evolve through further subspecialization and enhanced research.