title: Historical perspective: history of spinal surgery.
abstract: The surgical treatment of spinal disorders did not develop before the 1970s of the last century. Previously limited technical possibilities and the danger of infections spinal surgery could not spread wider. This article reviews the history of spinal surgery from first trials as mentioned in the papyrus Smith in 1550 B.C. in Egypt to advanced techniques of today.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Germany. KNOELLER@CH11.UKL.UNIFREIBURG.DE
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Knoeller
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seifried
mesh_terms: D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000266:history*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery