Historical overview of spinal deformities in ancient Greece (original) (raw)
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Historical overview of spinal deformities in ancient Greece.(Review)
Scoliosis, 2009
Little is known about the history of spinal deformities in ancient Greece. The present study summarizes what we know today for diagnosis and management of spinal deformities in ancient Greece, mainly from the medical treatises of Hippocrates and Galen. Hippocrates, through accurate observation and logical reasoning was led to accurate conclusions firstly for the structure of the spine and secondly for its diseases. He introduced the terms kyphosis and scoliosis and wrote in depth about diagnosis and treatment of kyphosis and less about scoliosis. The innovation of the board, the application of axial traction and even the principle of trans-abdominal correction for correction of spinal deformities have their origin in Hippocrates. Galen, who lived nearly five centuries later impressively described scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis, provided aetiologic implications and used the same principles with Hippocrates for their management, while his studies influenced medical practice on spinal deformities for more than 1500 years.
Erciyes Medical Journal, 2022
A Historical Perspective of the Management of Scoliosis Efforts to treat spinal deformity have a long and fascinating history. The ancient Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen are credited with early descriptions of the condition, management, and the term scoliosis, though even earlier references are seen in Hindu epics. The first known treatment techniques used axial traction and pressure. Subsequent cast correction required fixation of the pelvis and flattening of lumbar lordosis. Bracing superseded traction as the primary means to treat spinal deformities in the 1900s. The first spinal fusion surgery was performed in the 20 th century. Scoliosis treatment was greatly improved with the recognition of the 3-dimensional nature of scoliosis and its symptoms. Advances in nonsurgical treatment alternatives included the Milwaukee brace and the subsequent development of underarm plastic braces, such as the Boston brace, the Wilmington brace, and the Chêneau brace. Today, treatment options include bracing, and scoliosis-specific exercises selected according to the curve type and severity, in addition to surgery.
A Review of the History of Spine Surgery in Greece until the Middle of the 20th Century
Spine Surgery began its evolution in the beginning of the 19th century in order to reach nowadays the point of being considered an important subspecialty of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics. The purpose of this historical review is the search and evaluation of the progress in spine surgery until the middle of the 20th century. This review concerns the inauguration and evolution of this field in Greece. Special references are made to the first achievements of this field, to the pioneers physicians and surgeons (general surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons) who inaugurated this subspecialty and to clinical and scientific work of that era. Eventually, the progress of medicine and technology who led to the first achievements of this subspecialty are shown and also the difficulties (both social and scientific) that the pioneers of this field faced are demonstrated. In Greece, with small exceptions, the new techniques emerged with a certain delay.
The Evolution of Spine Surgery in Greece in the Second Half of the 20th Century
Spine Surgery began its evolution in the beginning of the 19th century in order to reach nowadays the point of being considered an important subspecialty of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics. The purpose of this historical review is the search and evaluation of the progress in spine surgery in the second half of the 20th century. This review concerns the evolution of this field in Greece. Special references are made to the achievements of this field, to the departments that practised it, to physicians and surgeons (orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, radiologists and rheumatologists) who developed this subspecialty and to clinical and scientific work of this time period. Eventually, the progress of medicine and technology who led to the first achievements of this subspecialty are shown and also that this progress followed the development of the National Healthcare System. In Greece, with small exceptions, the new techniques emerged with a certain delay.
History of spine deformity in turkey
Turkish Neurosurgery, 2016
Zahrawi's book on surgery written in Arabic. Other than these, as in the rest of the world, no treatment for scoliosis worth mentioning can be found in our civilisation at that time. Indeed, it is known that in the 16 th century, Suleiman the Magnificent's son Prince Cihangir (1531-1553) had a spine deformity which could not be treated. Although the first modern school of medicine in the Ottoman Empire was founded 14 March 1827, contemporary western surgical approaches were only able to develop by the late 19 th century. The first laminectomy in our country was performed in the late 19 th century, but no procedures were attempted to treat scoliosis. The Ankara, Istanbul and Ege Universities played a pioneering role in scoliosis cases. It is likely that conservative procedures were performed to manage scoliosis at the Baltalimanı Bone and Joint Hospital founded in 1944 and the Eğirdir Bone and Joint Hospital founded in 1952. █ CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT The first treatment approaches with respect to scoliosis were in the form of exercises, physical therapy and casting. █ INTRODUCTION S pine deformities are among the major pathologies that affect human health. Although the contemporary treatment method for this disease started to take shape in the 20 th century, knowledge on the subject has a long past in which Anatolian physicians play a prominent role. We come across Hippocrates of Kos (460-370 BC) as the first physician to treat spine deformities. In his work, "On the Nature of Bones", Hippocrates defined spinal anatomy and spine deformities, describing treatment by axial traction and direct pressure on the deformity (54,64). Galen of Pergamum (129-201 AD), the Roman physician, gathered spinal deformity under four main headings, namely kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis and spinal joint mobility without deformity (65). He also described the spine and the spinal nerves in further detail. It is understood from his famous work "Cerrahiyetü'l Haniyye" (Imperial Surgery) written in the late 15 th century that Ottoman physician Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu applied cauterisation for lumbar pain (68). In fact, this work is an illustrated translation into the Ottoman language of Andalusian physician Al Spine deformities are among the most important spinal disorders, affecting health-related life quality. Although there are some studies in past centuries, most spine deformity-related studies and research has started in the last century. Many surgical techniques, performed between 1960 and 1990, made scoliosis a touchable pathology. These techniques started with Harrington's system, wiring techniques, pedicle screw techniques, and all other universal techniques. Anterior and 360 degree techniques contributed to this process. The use of spinal osteotomies, and recent technologies such as magnetic rods, intraoperative neuromonitoring added much to the body of knowledge of literature and improved the outcome. Advancement has not been limited to surgery only and diagnostic advancements had also impact to this process. Surgical techniques performed in the west have been performed soon in our countries. Currently almost all surgical techniques for treatment of spine deformities can be performed in our country. This article reviews historical aspects related to the diagnosis and treatment of spine deformities in Turkey.
Spine Biomechanics in the Work of Aristotle (384 -322 BC
Surgical Innovation, 2022
Background: Spine biomechanics is a field of applied research aiming to unravel the biomechanical understanding of the spine and its disorders and to understand the implications of their interventional therapy to improve clinical practice, physical performance and daily living. Its scientific whereabouts can be traced in the work of Aristotle, who discussed physical and biological concepts of spine biomechanics in a series of treatises. Results: The authors searched the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae archive for original texts written in Greek and attributed to Aristotle and selected excerpts of medical and biological treatises that elaborate on spine biomechanics. Discussion: While many of his theories have become outdated, his methodology and rationale remain relevant for contemporary researchers and clinicians. Here, the relevant content of passages of the corpus aristotelicum related to spine biomechanics and discuss their practical implications are presented.
Contribution of Hippocrates (Buqrat) In Anatomy of Spine And Its Applied Concept
2022
The foundations of ancient rational medicine were laid by Hippocrates, His works, principles and teachings are composed and compiled under Corpus Hippocraticum. He has inspired countless debates in all fields of medicine including basic medical sciences. In his treaties, he has adopted the practical approach to the descriptions of the human body and the diseases associated. He has made contribution to the medical literature and medical education through his observations and clinical studies. This genius physician also was the first to deal with the anatomy of human spine. In his books, he provides a precise description of a segments and the normal curves of the spine, the structure of the vertebrae, the tendons attached to them, the blood supply to the spine, and even its anatomic relations to adjacent vessels. In the current work we have gathered the anatomy extracts on the topographic and functional anatomy of the Spine. We found that Hippocrates, described fairly, the basic struc...
Ambroise Paré (1510-1590) and His Contribution to the Treatment of Scoliosis
Journal of Research on History of Medicine, 2015
The purpose of this study is to summarize the treatment options for scoliosis and spine deformities from Antiquity through Medieval Times up to the Renaissance. Furthermore, it is to present the contribution of “the Father of Modern Surgery”, Ambroise Pare (1510-1590), to this field. Pare was a distinguished surgeon of the Renaissance with many contributions to surgery, including war trauma, obstetrics, forensic medicine, and Orthopaedics. He was the first to recognize the importance of bracing for the treatment of scoliosis, inventing his famous metallic brace with holes to reduce weight. In conclusion, it is noted that up to the time of the Renaissance traction and exercise were the main treatments of spinal deformities, especially scoliosis. The pioneering work of Ambroise Pare, “The father of Modern Surgery”, suggested the use of a metallic brace during adolescence in order to correct spine curvature of scoliosis. Besides that, Pare never rejected more traditional treatment opti...
A contemporary approach to surgical treatment of scolioses
Scoliosis belongs to the most frequent deformations of human axial skeleton. In about 20% of cases, the pathology constituting the original cause of scoliosis is recognized. As regards the remaining cases, the diagnosis of scoliosis idiopathica is made by way of elimination. For many years, surgery has been the standard procedure in the treatment of large scolioses, where preservative treatment proves ineffective. The aim of the work is to present contemporary opinions and controversies concerning the indications for surgical treatment of scoliosis, the choice of surgical access, modern possibilities and evolution of surgical methods employed for correction and stabilization of scoliosis. Therapeutic decisions taken after scoliosis has been diagnosed are based on clinical and radiological assessment of a number of factors having a documented influence on the risk of progression of the curvature. General indications for surgical treatment of scoliosis include progressing scoliosis of Cobb's angle over 40-45° in skeletally immature children, considerable deformations of Cobb's angle over 50° in adolescents, irrespectively of their skeletal age, scoliosis-related pain complaints unresponsive to preservative treatment, thoracic lordosis coexisting with progressive scoliosis, and cosmetic deformations. In scolioses of known etiology, the decision of surgical treatment is influenced not only by the factors of progression risk, common to idiopathic scolioses and related to growth potential and extent of the deformation, but also by additional factors, specific to the original pathology underlying the scoliosis, e.g. the type, number, and location of congenital defects in the spinal area in congenital (osteopathic) scoliosis, the dynamics and type of neurological disorders in neuropathic scoliosis. The origin of the modern spinal surgery was a combination of the concept of spinal fusion and inner stabilization and correction of the scoliosis with spinal implants. In consideration of the patient's age, morphology of the scoliosis, as well as the operator's experience and preferences, a choice is made between spondylodesis and anterior or posterior stabilization, or a combination of the two. Among the contemporary surgical methods, two different approaches can be distinguished with respect to the patient's age: correction and stabilization of scoliosis with an application of implants and spinal fusion, and stabilization and correction of scoliosis, utilizing the remaining growth potential for curbing the progression and directing further spinal growth until final spondylodesis is applied. In spite of enormous progress in spinal surgery that has been made over the last hundred years, the main objective of surgical treatment of scoliosis has remained the same: an optimal and permanent correction of the deformation with the least possible complications. The evolution of surgical techniques of correction and stabilization of scoliosis from Harrington instruments to segmental instrumentation with pedicle screws is an indication of the progress from single-plane to multi-plane correction of scoliotic deformations.
The Edwin Smith papyrus: a clinical reappraisal of the oldest known document on spinal injuries
2010
Dating from the seventeenth century B.C. the Edwin Smith papyrus is a unique treatise containing the oldest known descriptions of signs and symptoms of injuries of the spinal column and spinal cord. Based on a recent ''medically based translation'' of the Smith papyrus, its enclosed treasures in diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic reasoning are revisited. Although patient demographics, diagnostic techniques and therapeutic options considerably changed over time, the documented rationale on spinal injuries can still be regarded as the state-of-the-art reasoning for modern clinical practice.