Congenital orthopaedic limp deformities in Corpus Hippocraticum

摘要

During the fifth century BC in ancient Greece during the eve of orthopaedics, the Hippocratic School of Medicine diagnosed a series of congenital limb deformities. Congenital dislocation of the arm, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, tarsotibial joint, apex leg, as well as talipes valgus (clubfoot), congenital clavicle fractures, and thumb malfunction were all discussed by Hippocrates and his followers. Ancient Greek medico-philosophers, fond of a perfect human body, proposed an immediate non-interventional approach, while archaic orthotics and specialized footwear were suggested. The Hippocratic methodology was once more re-emerged in the sixteenth century by Ambroise Pare and in the nineteenth century by Wilhelm Roser, becoming since then the main principle for the confrontation of congenital deformities. Various surgeons until nowadays are still being influenced by the Hippocratic doctrine.