Surgeons perform orthopedic surgery to treat a variety of problems in patients of all ages. The surgery is used to treat musculoskeletal problems from pediatric orthopedics to sports medicine to geriatric orthopedics. It is common for a surgeon performing orthopedic surgery to work closely other health professionals such as physical therapists, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation doctors.

Jean-Andre Venel is known for establishing the first orthopedic institute in 1780. This was the first hospital dedicated to the treatment of skeletal deformities in children. He is considered by many to be the father of orthopedic surgery.

Many of the orthopedic surgery developments and discoveries were a result from surgeon's experiences during war time. During the Middle Ages era, the injured were treated with bandages soaked in horses' blood. The bandage dried to form a stiff, but germ filled splint. Further traction and splinting developed during World War I.

During the Vietnam War a major contribution to orthopedic surgery was made by Grigor Llizarov in the USSR. He was sent, without much orthopedic training, to look after injured Russian soldiers in Siberia. He faced soldiers suffering from crippling conditions of unhealed, misaligned, and infected fractures. With the help of a local bike shop, Grigor was able to devise equipment capable of healing, realigning and lengthening fractures that was unheard of in any other part of the world.

Toronto, Canada is generally identified as the early center of excellence in orthopedic surgery. The University of Toronto has a program that is renowned for training and creative development since the 1950's. Orthopedic surgeons graduating from the orthopedic surgery program have contributed to many of the important achievements that have improved the lives of many patients.

One of the prominent orthopedic surgeons from the University of Toronto was David MacIntosh. He is known for pioneering the first successful surgery for a torn ligament of the knee. This serious and common injury occurs in skiers, dancers and field athletes. MacIntosh worked especially with injured football players. He was able to devise a way to perform orthopedic surgery that permitted the athlete to quickly return to the game.

The advancements in orthopedic surgery that David MacIntosh developed in the 1960's and 1970's are still the operations of choice performed today.