Avoiding infantile paralysis. Orthopedists and their fight against the sequelae of poliomyelitis in Mexico (1940-1960)

Abstract

The objective is to analyze the work of orthopedists during the poliomyelitis epidemic that hit the Mexican population in the mid-forties and early fifties of the twentieth century, who in their eagerness to combat the sequelae that this disease produced, invented all kinds of mechanical means and stabilization of the hips and legs (so that the child could be as independent as possible), such as girdles, corsets, knee pads and wristbands. Others such as wheelchairs, walkers, hinges, and crutches underwent modifications, depending on the needs of the disabled. These advances in the medical field contributed to the development and progress of orthopedics in Mexico. The logical historical method was followed; archives and library documents, periodicals, and other consultation materials such as monthly health bulletins, texts on epidemics, orthopedics, medicine, and medical history were reviewed, as well as files from professors and academics.

Keywords

• Orthopedics. Poliomyelitis. Mexico.