ORTHOPEDICS IN ANCIENT GREECE: THE FIRST STEPS IN MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE
Orthopedics, as a medical specialty, has its roots deeply embedded in Ancient Greece, where the foundations of many practices we take for granted today were laid. In this video, we explore the beginnings of orthopedics in Greece, an era when, despite the absence of modern technologies, principles were already being used that still influence today's musculoskeletal medicine.
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Today in Pura+, orthopedics in Ancient Greece.
ORTHOPEDICS IN ANCIENT GREECE: A DEVELOPING DISCIPLINE
In Ancient Greece, medicine was still in its early stages of evolution, but the Greeks were pioneers in treating fractures, dislocations, and musculoskeletal injuries. Although orthopedics was not a separate specialty as it is today, fundamental principles were established that paved the way for what would become modern orthopedics.
Greek physicians began to apply rigorous clinical observations and innovative techniques in treating injuries. Their focus on diagnosis based on observation and systematic treatment of fractures and dislocations allowed orthopedics to take shape.
MAIN ORTHOPEDIC APPROACHES AND TREATMENTS IN ANCIENT GREECE
In Ancient Greece, orthopedics focused on treating fractures and joint injuries through traction and the use of rudimentary splints. Greek doctors were pioneers in aligning broken bones using traction, a key principle still used today. Additionally, they used wooden and linen splints to immobilize fractures and prevent displacement during healing.
The reduction of joint dislocations was also a fundamental part of their orthopedic approach. The Greeks applied manual techniques to return bones to their correct position, followed by immobilization, which allowed for more efficient recovery from joint injuries.
Despite the lack of modern technologies, Greek physicians also laid the foundations for rehabilitation through physical exercise and the use of thermal baths to relieve pain and accelerate injury recovery. These conservative treatment and functional rehabilitation approaches are principles that remain relevant in today's orthopedics.
REHABILITATION IN ANCIENT GREECE: PREVENTION AND EXERCISE
In Ancient Greece, physical exercise and activity
were essential both for general health and for the prevention of
injuries. The Greeks practiced sports such as pankration, wrestling, polo, and
chariot racing, which exposed them to a significant number of musculoskeletal
injuries. To counter this, they developed rehabilitation techniques that
included massages, hot baths, and stretching exercises.
Exercise to strengthen muscles and prevent injuries:
Physical exercise was not only important for
sports performance but also as a preventive measure. Greek city-states, such as
Sparta, were known for their rigorous physical training, which helped keep
citizens in good physical condition and reduced the risk of injuries.
Therapeutic baths and massages:
The use of thermal baths was common, as it was
believed that heat helped relieve muscle pain and accelerate the healing of
injuries. Massages were also part of recovery, helping to improve blood
circulation and reduce inflammation in the joints.
The concept of imaging diagnosis:
The idea of observing the human body to detect problems and injuries, without resorting to superstitions or magic, has persisted to the present day. Today, X-rays, MRI, and other imaging diagnostic techniques remain essential in modern orthopedics.
THE LEGACY OF ANCIENT GREEK ORTHOPEDICS AND ITS IMPACT ON MODERN MEDICINE
What Greek doctors created in terms of
diagnosis, fracture treatment, and rehabilitation laid the foundations of
orthopedics as we know it today. Although they did not have the advanced
technologies we have now, their scientific and rational approach was the first
step towards a structured musculoskeletal medicine.
CONCLUSION
Ancient Greek orthopedics was not only a precedent for modern medicine but also provided the fundamental principles that we still apply in treating musculoskeletal injuries. Through observation, experimentation, and systematization, Greek doctors helped lay the foundations of a specialty that continues to evolve and remains crucial for people's health and well-being.
The influence of Ancient Greece on orthopedics is still alive today, and every time we undergo an X-ray or treat a fracture with a cast, we are following the path they began over 2,000 years ago. Were you surprised by the legacy of orthopedics in Ancient Greece? Did you know that their principles are still fundamental today?
If you want to know the story of the best doctor of ancient Greece, Hippocrates, or the history of orthopedics in the Mayan period, we recommend the following videos
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