ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON MD, MSc, PhD

The first version with -e- is etymologically derived from ορθοπέδηorthopede, a restraining system with the purpose of ensuring proper development of a scoliotic tree or spine alike and restraining the already present deviation in its growth. Τροχοπέδη -wheel brake and χειροπέδη – handcuffs are equally restraining systems with the exact same purpose, only with different applications, reducing the speed of wheels or the range of motion of hands. Orthopede is the main idea featuring at the logo of the Hellenic Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology – EEXOT, as well as of most other Orthopedic Societies around the world. Therefore, the etymology is self-evident, “what you see is what you get” and the connection with the logo is self-evident.

Left: ΕΕΧΟΤ 1947 Right: ΚΕΧΟΤ 1977.

The second version with -ae- comes from what is referred to as the first pediatric-orthopedic treatise of Nicolas Andry “L’ ORTHOPÉDIE OU L’ ART DE PREVENIR ET CORRIGER DANS LES ENFANS LES DIFFORMITÉS DU CORPS… A BRUXELLES Chez GEORGE FRICX… 1743” and was further reinforced by the adoption of the Orthon Paedion – ΟΡΘΟΣ ΠΑΙΣ inscription, written on an open book, by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. However, in this scenario, the etymology is NOT self-evident, “what you see is NOT what you get” and the connection to the logo is NOT readily apparent.

Frontispiece of the work of Nicolas Andry L’ ORTHOPÉDIE OU L’ ART DE PREVENIR ET CORRIGER DANS LES ENFANS LES DIFFORMITÉS DU CORPS… A BRUXELLES Chez GEORGE FRICX… 1743.

Depiction of the Archetypal Orthopede in the first written work on Orthopedics. Blank page, unnumbered, between pages 252 and 253, out of 430 total of Nicolas Andry’s book.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, especially when there is evidence to back it up. However, given the logo of most Orthopedic Societies around the world, including the Greek and the Cypriot ones, and given the original illustration in Andry’s book, which depicts the archetypal orthopede, the etymology is indisputable and the correct spelling should reflect this simple fact.

Left: American Orthopedic Association – AOA 1887, with orthopedic logo. Right: Second logo of the American Orthopedic Association – AOA with the inscription ΟΡΘΟΣΠΑΙΣ and initials ΑΩΑ. Americans adore ancient Greek characters and name their Fraternities and Sororities with Greek capital letters. Greeks are really grateful for their love and appreciation, but this does not mean that we should start spelling Ορθοπεδική – Orthopedics with Ω, simply because Americans find it more impressive.
Lazarou logo or the Orthopede and the children – παιδία.

All personal effort was made so that the Orthopede and the children – παιδία were combined in the personal interpretation of the same idea, also known as the Lazarou logo, with the four Lazarou offsprings resting in the shade of the scoliotic tree, in need of its Orthopede in order to safeguard its proper development.

Inventive and humoristic

variations of Orthopede

on the logo

of Orthopedic Societies

around the globe

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Dr George Achilles Lazarou

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON – MD, MSc, PhD

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