The decade beginning 2000 has been officially designated by the US Congress as the “Bone and Joint Decade”.  This hallmark recognizes the importance of musculoskeletal health, the advances made over previous decades in the diagnosis and care of bone, joint, and muscle problems, and future improvements.  For many centuries, musculoskeletal care was rendered  effectively by general practitioners and surgeons.  As improvement in the knowledge of human anatomy and function occurred so did the ability of physicians to manage bone, joint, and muscle problems.  Lessons learned in wartime have resulted in improved care of injured soldiers.  For example, during and after the American Civil War, many soldiers with amputations were rehabilitated and provided with useful artificial limbs.

Of the many medical advances during the 1800's, three stand out.  First, the application of plaster-of-paris to muslin bandages, allowed better plaster cast application.  Second, the discovery of general anesthesia resulted in painless surgery.  Last, and possibly most important, was the discovery of the usefulness of X-rays in the diagnosis of all sorts of conditions.

The word “orthopaedic” comes from the Greek word “ortho” meaning straight and “paed” meaning child (and the same root as in pediatrics).  Lingustically, our specialty originated in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of children.  A formal specialty of orthopaedics was not recognized until around World War I, again partly as a result of the need for care of injured soldiers.  It was then realized that special training was needed for a physician to be skilled in that specialty.

In the twentieth century, many physicians and other scientists have made contributions to improve musculoskeletal health.  Salk and Sabin developed effective vaccinations against polio.

Kuentscher in Germany began to surgically insert metal rods inside bones to repair fractures.

Charnley in England and others developed the use of implants to replace broken and arthritic joints.  Harrington in the USA introduced implanted rods to aid in the correction of spine deformities.  Ilizarov in Siberia reintroduced the technique of using bone pins and external frames to stabilize fractures and correct deformities without casts.   Many orthopaedists have worked to perfect arthroscopic techniques for knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and ankle.

The discovery of antibiotics and blood typing have made surgery much safer. We have always known that a healthy lifestyle is important for normal bones, joints, muscles, and tendons.  Research continues in methods to prevent osteoporosis and minimize the effects of arthritis.

Gaston County has its own claim in the history of orthopaedics.  When the first Orthopaedic surgeons started in Charlotte, Durham, Chapel  Hill, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Greenville, and Greenville, S. C., it was recognized that separate hospitals were needed for the care of children’s orthopaedic problems.  Through the generosity and hard work of Gaston County citizens, the North Carolina Orthopaedic Hospital in Gastonia allowed inpatient care for six decades until its closure in the 1970's.  Through the efforts of Drs William Roberts, George Miller, and Glen King, staff, and volunteers, thousands of children were treated.

In addition, dozens of orthopaedic surgery residents from Duke, University of North Carolina, and the United States Navy received training at the NC OH and have used their expertise and skills all over the United States and in other countries.