Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Abstract

The need to revisit older techniques of fracture management Trends in orthopaedics Orthopaedic surgery has made enormous advances in the last 75 years. Or has it? The early development of internal fixation techniques by Arbuth not Lane and by Sherman has progressed to the point where we now worship the Holy Tinity of Accurate Anatomical Reduction, Rigid Fixation and Compression, and bow down to the altar of the Almigbty AO. lnteresting choice of initials that, isn't it? A and O. Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and the End. The aim of the new breed of orthopaedic surgeons is to create a fixation technique for every fracture; sometimes it seems that any fracture that cannot be fixed operatively is seen as a failure of the current techniques and a challenge to the implant manufacturer.