Academician Nikolay N. Priorov as one of the founders of Russian traumatology and orthopedics (on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of his birth)

Today, traumatology and orthopedics are among the most important areas of medical care. Pirogov, Turner, Vreden, Chaklin, and Rozanov are traditionally recognized as the founders of these fields. Another figure who dedicated his life to the study of traumatology and orthopedics and deserves inclusion in this list is Nikolay N. Priorov. This work aims to present the most comprehensive information on the professional path of Academician Priorov as one of the founders of Russian traumatology and orthopedics, in honor of the 140th anniversary of his birth. The methodological foundation of the article includes a systemic approach based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, and scientific rigor, as well as general scientific methods (such as generalization, analysis, synthesis, and induction). The study is based on archival documents, scientific data, books, and articles. Priorov achieved outstanding success as a teacher, scientist, and physician. He held the titles of Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics at several institutions, Academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, Honored Scientist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Deputy Minister of Health of the USSR, founder of the Moscow and All-Union Societies of Traumatologists and Orthopedists, and a member of several international medical societies. One of his major achievements was the establishment of the Institute of Prosthetics and Treatment, which was later named after him. For 40 years, Academician Priorov served as its permanent director of this institution. Today, it is known as the Priorov National Medical Research Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics under the Ministry of Health of Russia. Of particular note is Priorov’s role as Chief Surgeon in the hospital directorates of the People’s Commissariat of Health during the Great Patriotic War. His work focused on organizing the treatment and rehabilitation of the wounded and disabled, with an emphasis on providing prosthetics and orthopedic devices as essential components of comprehensive rehabilitation. His experience in military medicine remains highly relevant today. For his contributions, Priorov was awarded two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Badge of Honor, and numerous medals. This article provides new biographical details about Priorov, including his expeditions to Novaya Zemlya, Vaygach Island, and Yugorsky Shar, as well as the history of the foundation of the Central Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics. This feature sets it apart from previous publications devoted to this outstanding scientist.