Orthopedic Technology for the Elderly
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 March 2009
Extract
The term orthopedics was introduced in 1741 by Nicolas André in Paris for “the Art of Prevention and Correction of Deformities in Children” and for 200 years orthopedic institutions were mainly concerned with locomotor problems in children and young adults. After World War II, however, the majority of orthopedic patients were not children. Devas (6) has coined the expression “geriatric orthopedics”, a semantic contradiction which highlights that we now face an increasing volume of elderly patients in whom the locomotor system causes severe problems. For example, in my own institution an orthopedic wing built in 1928 contained 135 beds, the majority of which were occupied by children. Today 10 beds suffice for our orthopedic children. Half of all orthopedic beds in Sweden are used for hip surgery in the very old.
- Type
- Technology and Health Care for the Elderly
- Information
- International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , January 1985 , pp. 59 - 74
- Copyright
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985
References
REFERENCES
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