Orthopedists and patients under the National Socialist dictatorship

The 12-year dictatorship of National Socialism represents a decisive event in the history of orthopedics in Germany. Treatment and care was limited to those patients whose prognosis promised their reintegration into the work force. Those orthopedic patients with mental and psychological handicaps no longer came under the care of orthopedists and were potential candidates f or annihilation. Despite concerted efforts to the contrary,as can be gleaned from the lists of topics at the annual meetings,the prevailing political circumstances enc umbered scientific activities. The almost total isolation from internationa l contacts had a negative effect. Orthopedists were hindered in their work by the law on sterilization, which provided for sterilization in cases of s evere physical deformity. Some orthopedists even considered the presence of hip dysplasia to be an indication. The roles played by Georg Hohmann, Hellmut Eckhardt, Lothar Kreuz, and othe r leading orthopedists are described in detail. It can be regarded as certa in that Hohmann and Eckhardt were able to prevent dire consequences for the ir orthopedic patients and the profession by cautious tactics. The ethnical problems of involvement with National Socialism are thoroughly discussed.