The Term Orthopaedic origin

By | April 6, 2023

The term “orthopedic” has its origins in the Greek language. The word “ortho” means “straight” or “correct,” while “pais” means “child.” The term was first used in the 18th century by a French physician named Nicolas Andry, who wrote a book called “Orthopaedia: or the Art of Correcting and Preventing Deformities in Children.” In this book, Andry described various methods for correcting and preventing skeletal deformities in children, such as the use of braces and exercise.

Over time, the term “orthopedics” came to be used to refer to the medical specialty that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Today, orthopedics is a broad field that encompasses many sub-specialties, including sports medicine, joint replacement surgery, and pediatric orthopedics, among others.

Related links

The History of Orthopedics

A Brief History of Orthopaedics

The Evolution of Orthopaedic Surgery