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• History of orthopedics
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Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that specializes in diseases of and injuries to bones. French physician Nicholas Andry coined the term "orthopedia" in his 1741 book on the prevention and correction of muscular and skeletal deformities in children. He united the Greek word "orthos," meaning straight, with "pais," meaning child. The term orthopedics has remained in use, though the specialty has broadened beyond the care of children.

Bone is a living and functioning part of the body. A broken bone will generate new growth to repair the fracture and fill in any areas from which bone is removed. Therefore, a bone that is deformed from birth can be manipulated, cut, braced, or otherwise treated to produce a normal form. A...