title: Orthopedic surgery in the United States Army: a historical review.
abstract: The contribution of American military surgeons to the development of orthopedic surgery has not previously been explored. The experiences of American military surgeons in conflicts from the Civil War to Iraq and Afghanistan have advanced the orthopedic discipline, resulting in important developments within the field, as well as scientific discoveries that have benefited both the civilian and military communities. From advances in wound care, to spinal surgery, intramedullary nailing of long bone fractures, and external fixation, American military surgeons have been pioneers of orthopedic surgery. The goal of this review was to survey the American military orthopedic experience from the American Revolution to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 5005 North Piedras Street, El Paso, TX 79920, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Schoenfeld
mesh_terms: D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000266:history*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States