Dr. Józef Aleksiewicz Activity in Support of the Development of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation in Iwonicz-Zdrój (1921-1957)

Abstract

Based on source materials in the possession of Józef Aleksiewicz family (typescripts, manuscripts, photo-graphs, other documents) and articles published in professional medical journals and newspapers, the authors present the contribution of Dr. J. Aleksiewicz to the development of orthopedics and rehabilitation in Iwonicz-Zdrój. In May 1921, he was appointed Surgeon General of the Spa Commission in Iwonicz-Zdrój. After holding several scholarly trips abroad in 1925 to sanatoriums treating cases of osteo-articular tuberculosis, he commenced the construction of „Sanato”, a modern sanatorium. Opened in 1930, it was the only center in Poland treating osteo-articular tuberculosis in a spa setting. It was the first orthopedic rehabilitation center in what is now Podkarpackie Voivodship offering diagnostic work-up, surgery and conservative treatment of osteo-articular tuberculosis in children. Modelled on the best Western centers, Dr. Aleksiewicz widely em-ployed physical methods, such as Swedish therapeutic gymnastics, mechanotherapy, massage, physical therapy and hydrotherapy.