Is is orthopedic or orthopaedic?
Roy Meals, MD
![Roy Meals, MD]()
Roy Meals, MD
Blogger MuscleAndBone.info, Ortho Hand Surgeon, Educator, UCLA Professor
The word orthopedic was coined in 1741 by Nicolas Andry, a French physician who wrote the first book on the topic. The book's title was Orthopédie. Ortho- is Greek for straight or correct, as in orthodoxy (correct belief) and orthodontics (straight teeth).
The pédie is also Greek and stems from child. In his book, Andry described how families and physicians could prevent and correct skeletal deformities in children. Of course, the means were entirely non-surgical because it would be another 100 years before general anesthesia and the concept of elective surgery came about. The graphic that Andry chose for the frontspiece of his book to illustrate his concept of straightening a child remains iconic. Continue reading ...
?
Orthopaedic Imaging Technologist at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
4 年I worked in one academic setting for 16 years in a pediatric clinic. This debate came up often. Our chief said to remove the “a” would translate that spelling into the meaning of “keeper of the lice”. Has anyone heard this translation? And why were so many practices forced to remove it? I refuse. ??
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Aleris Hospital, Professor at University of Bergen, Photographer, Trumpet player
6 年Orthopedic is the American spelling... Orthopaedic is the English/European spelling... Always was... No big thing ... "You like tomato and I like tomahto"... :-)
Care Programming Approach Coordinator at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
6 年I worked in Ortho for 20 years and always spell it Orthopaedics.? The other spelling is American.
Office Manager Herkimer County Legal Resource Center
6 年I was in Ortho a long time I always spell it Orthopaedics!
Serial Entrepreneur and Professional Board Member
6 年It means straightening children. That what we do at WishBone Medical. Thanks , Dr. Meals.