History

by Prof Charles Sorbie, SICOT President 1996-1999

Innovations and original ideas may seem to come from groups or a committee but, in fact, they are usually generated in the imagination of one individual. We cannot be absolutely certain in whose bright mind the idea of SICOT first formed but it was most probably Vittorio Putti or Robert Lovett with early interest on the part of Hans Spitzy. There is scarce written evidence of the origins of SICOT and for what there is we are indebted to Calogero Casuccio, a former President of SICOT, who obtained information from the letters of Vittorio Putti held at the Instituto Rizzoli in Bologna.

The first reference relating to an international orthopaedic association, which eventually became SICOT, is found in a letter written by Robert William Lovett of Harvard University in Boston, U.S.A. Lovett wrote on November 25, 1913, that he had found enthusiastic support among his American colleagues for the formation of an international society of orthopaedic surgery. His letter was sent simultaneously to Professors Hans Spitzy of Vienna and Vittorio Putti of Bologna. It is clear from its content that he had discussed the idea with both Putti and Spitzy and they were both receptive. Lovett was a member of the American Orthopaedic Association, the oldest of all orthopaedic associations (founded in 1887). He was, therefore, quite familiar with a national society over the 36 years prior to his international reach. Several international societies had already been formed for dermatologists, otologists, genito-urinary surgeons and surgeons in general. There may have been others of which he was unaware.

During a talk at the 1936 Congress, Putti implied that he was the first promoter of the Society and said his interests were in improving orthopaedic surgery throughout the world by means of an international society.