Miracles, Martyrdom and Violence: Historical Origins of the Patron Saints of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery.

John T Williams,Mark W Kissin,Eleanor R Kissin

doi:10.7759/cureus.21355

Abstract

Patron saints have been adopted to protect against disease and disability in the Christian world since the Middle Ages. A patron saint most often has a morbid connection to their affiliated ailment, although patronage may stem from physical attributes or a miracle performed. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe patron saints associated with injury, musculoskeletal disease and orthopaedic pathology. Saints were identified by a systematic review of multiple reference texts. Additional searches were performed in online academic databases, alongside biographic research of primary and secondary archives.Seven patron saints associated with trauma and orthopaedic conditions were identified. These include St. Ignatius, who pioneered deformity-correction surgery on himself and St. Kostka, patron saint of broken bones who was the victim of his infamously cruel brother Paul. St. Alphonsus Liguori, patron saint of spinal conditions, suffered such a severe cervical kyphosis that his chin eroded his chest. Further saints identified include St. Cosmas and St. Damian as patrons of musculoskeletal oncology, and St. Amalberga and St. Roch as patrons of upper and lower limb injuries, respectively. Over the centuries, patron saints have provided hope for patients in the absence of effective treatments, and as role models for physicians with few resources. Their lives and legends provide valuable insight into an important historical aspect of medical culture.

Highlights

Patron saints to protect against disease and disability have been adopted throughout the Christian world since the Middle Ages
Seven saints associated with trauma and orthopaedic surgery were identified for inclusion in the study, spanning 270 CE - 1787 CE
Patron saints have provided a source of comfort for patients in the absence of effective treatments, and as role models for physicians with few resources

Summary

Introduction

Patron saints to protect against disease and disability have been adopted throughout the Christian world since the Middle Ages. This phenomenon was prevalent within disadvantaged populations in Europe, who had little access to doctors or medicine [1,2]. Patron saints of disease represent an important and unique aspect of medical history and culture, which is important to acknowledge and preserve in contemporary scientific literature. A saint most often became associated with a particular disorder as a result of their method of martyrdom. Perhaps the most well-known example is St. Agatha’s patronage of breast cancer, conferred as a result of her martyrdom by double mastectomy in 251 CE by the Roman Governor Quintianus [4,6]. Patronage may stem from notable physical attributes or a certain miracle performed

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