In 1940 the Orthopedic Section consisted of a 100-bed hospital service chiefly concerned with the long-term care of patients with osteomyelitis, joint tuberculosis, and the deformities of paralytic poliomyelitis. Dr. Carl Badgley directed it until his retirement in 1963.
Traditionally, the research of this section has been of a clinical nature although there have been more basic contributions involving tetracycline labeling and bone repair, the preservation and storage of bone, experimental aspects of congenital hip dislocation, isotope labeling of bone, tensile strength of tendon materials, biomechanical function of the patella, and many other investigations.
During the 1940s a staff member made monthly visits to the state sanatorium at Howell to provide care for patients with bone and joint tuberculosis. From 1946 until 1964 residents made visits weekly to Jackson State Prison and Ypsilanti State Hospital to perform orthopedic operations.
A 35-bed orthopedic service was established at the Ann Arbor Veterans Hospital in 1951. Since the affiliation with Wayne County General Hospital three orthopedic residents have been assigned to this service under a full-time member of the staff.
Dr. William Smith succeeded Dr. Badgley in 1963. By 1971 the permanent staff had grown to five members. Approximately 2,600 operations are performed and 30,000 outpatients seen by the staff each year.
Fred J. Hodges
The University of Michigan, an Encyclopedic Survey Supplement, Page 207
