07/14/2026
Orthopaedics literally means “straight children.” The specialty of orthopedics began in 1741 when French physician, Nicolas Andry de Bois-Regard (1658–1742) published the foundational book Orthopédie (translated as The Art of Correcting and Preventing Deformities in Children) (1, 2). Dr. Andry established that children who were “bent” (not straight) had difficult lives, and that their situation could be improved while still growing.
In this “Crooked Tree,” Dr. Andry used the analogy of a growing tree being tied to a stake to straighten it out. Today, this image is known as the “Tree of Andry” and is the global symbol of orthopaedics.
One hundred and twenty years after the publication of Andry’s book (in 1862), two German orthopedic surgeons, working independently, came up with an explanation for why keeping growing children straight is critically important.
Learn more: https://ow.ly/IcHE50ZnBt9
Orthopaedics literally means “straight children.” The specialty of orthopedics began in 1741 when French physician, Nicolas Andry de Bois-Regard (1658–1742) published the foundational book Orthopédie (translated as The Art of Correcting and Preventing Deformities in