Pott triad and Schmorl nodules. A historical overview of kyphosis with special reference to tuberculous spondylitis and Scheuermann disease

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the history of the different types of kyphosis (arcuated and angulated forms). Especially tuberculous spondylitis and Scheuermann's disease are pointed out from among the large group of kyphotic diseases. Therefore, Beckhterew's disease, the combination of rickets and kyphosis as well as the dysraphic diseases and constitutional kyphosis caused by faulty posture are only mentioned. These two special types of kyphosis (Scheuermann's disease and tuberculous spondylitis) are presented from the first description with diagnostic findings, the ideas of pathogenesis and aspects of treatment through to the different periods of medical history. This article describes the way of thinking and discussing of opinion leaders at the beginning of the century and the influence of new techniques and developments (asepsis, antisepsis, anesthesia, bacteriology, X-ray, antibiotics) on the differential diagnosis and therapy. It is impossible to give a complete overview of all aspects during the centuries concerning tuberculous spondylitis or arcuated kyphosis. The authors of this article have focussed their studies on developments from the first descriptions until World War II, based mainly on literature from German journals and historical books from the library of the German Museum for Orthopedic History and Science.