"I
was doing all right until they operated on me." This was the disturbing
comment made by many disproportionately short-statured persons during
my genetic orthopaedic fellowship year. Evaluation of several cases
confirmed the frequent poor results of major elective orthopaedic
procedures, despite their performance by competent surgeons. Though
basic explanations were uncertain as to why this should be, it was
found that significant obstacles to improved management and research
were the failure to establish a correct diagnosis, to accumulate and
systematize known data, and to benefit fully from prior experience. I
reasoned that before explosive advancements could be made, rectifying
certain of these difficulties would be essential. This constituted the
basis of my clinical research and the essence of this research is
presented in the chapters to follow.
Disproportionate Short Stature
