THE CLASSIC: A Critical View of Total Joint Replacements

Otto E. Aufranc, M.D., a graduate of the University of Missouri and Harvard Medical School, interned at the Boston City Hospital, took his orthopedic training at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Massachusetts General Hospital. From 1938 on, except for the years of World War II, he worked full time at the MGH developing and improving the techniques of hip and knee surgery, making major contributions in both this field and the field of fracture treatment. His book, Constructive Surgery of the Hip, based on his wide experience and published in 1962, is a classic in the field. He succeeded Dr. Edwin Cave as Chief of the Fracture Service, a position he held until 1971. During this period, he conceived and developed an internationally famous series of articles on fractures, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association under the title “Fracture of the Month.” Each of these, patterned after a clinical pathological conference, was first presentd at Orthopedic Grand Rounds and frequently promoted vigorous and spirited debate. In the late 1950’s, he established a fellowship in reconstructive hip surgery so that young men from all parts of the world might have the opportunity to study at first hand and in large numbers the sophisticated problems enountered in managing this interesting group of patients. Otto Aufranc is regarded as one of the great teachers in American orthopedics. Consideration for the patient, and all aspects of his care from the moment of first contact, through his surgery and through his convalescence has been a hallmark of his practice and teaching. He has stimulated us continually to improve all levels of patient care both by innovation and repeated assessment of our cumulated experience.