Visit www.aaos.org/75years to connect with 75 years of orthopaedics

As part of its 2008 anniversary celebration, the AAOS has recorded its 75 years of existence on a highly interactive Web site (www.aaos.org/75years) where visitors can watch a film on the history of orthopaedics, learn about orthopaedic inventions, examine intriguing pieces of orthopaedic-related artwork, view an array of personal interviews, and read life-altering patient stories.

Inform, enlighten, entertain
The 75th Anniversary Web site holds great appeal for AAOS members, but orthopaedists have much to gain from a visit as well.

Physicians can use the site as a tool to educate, inform, enlighten, and entertain. Encourage current and former patients or anyone familiar with joint replacement, sports injuries, osteoarthritis, or other conditions to navigate the site and click through the numerous photographs, artwork, and firsthand patient stories.

The following interactive features make the 75th Anniversary site an exciting place to explore the fascinating history of orthopaedics.

Digital Timelines – Embark on an historical adventure where you can view more than 1,500 events that have taken place throughout the history of orthopaedics—via text, images, audio, and video. Visitors are transported through the centuries via a multimedia digital timeline that spans the breadth of orthopaedic achievement, featuring personal stories from both patients and orthopaedic surgeons. The timeline also chronicles the great strides made in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions from the beginning of the 20th Century to the present. Learn how a variety of conditions and trends—including tuberculosis, polio, war wounds, vehicular accidents, and a new generation of “graying” adults seeking a more active lifestyle—have influenced and focused the specialty.

Orthopaedic Allegro – This brief, 3-minute film showcases a stunning display of photographs from the last 75 years set to heart-pounding music with a moving, audio tribute to orthopaedics in the 20th Century.

eMotion Pictures: An Exhibition of Orthopaedics in Art – Admire the inspiring art exhibit created by orthopaedists and their patients that conveys the patient and physician perspectives on orthopaedics and what it has meant in their lives through sculpture, paint, photography, and other media.

Academy Chronicles – Explore this stunning, three-dimensional work of art in detail. More than 300 pieces of Academy history are included in the 5-foot by 7.5-foot display, some actual and some miniaturized to fit. Now you can tour this elaborate display online. Zoom in on individual pieces of history or scroll over an item and an interactive box will pop up to reveal a detailed name and description. Academy Chronicles is on display in the lobby of the AAOS headquarters in Rosemont, Ill.

Moving Pictures: The Film – This historical film reflects the last 75 years of orthopaedic innovation and development by researchers, surgeons, industry, and happenstance. The film’s story is conveyed largely through the personal stories of orthopaedic surgeons and their patients.

Moving Stories: The Exhibit – The history of orthopaedics unfolds in this intriguing traveling exhibit. Moving Stories tackles major subjects and strides including the Academy’s history, the New Century, Polio, The War Years, Scoliosis, Joint Replacement, Specialties, The Future, and Orthopaedic Industry.

“Moving Stories: Seventy-five Years of Orthopaedic Surgery” – Become immersed and educated in this coffee table book rich with images, personal stories, and timelines noting the significant events in the last 75 years of orthopaedics.

Getting It Straight: A History of American Orthopaedics – Scan this historical orthopaedic reference book written by Henry H. Sherk, MD, which documents the development of the specialty, medical advances in areas such as fracture care, manipulation, and surgery, as well as the history of the AAOS and other orthopaedic societies.

Carolyn Rogers is a staff writer for AAOS Now. She can be reached at rogers@aaos.org