Prof. M. Natarajan was born on March 18, 1920, at Kamuthi the erstwhile Madras State. After graduating as a B.A, he entered Stanley Medical College, Madras. He had a brilliant academic career winning medals and prizes including university and college blue ribbons earning the sobriquet, “Medal” Natarajan.
He joined Armed Forces Medical Service during the Second World War and then underwent training in orthopedics in the United Kingdom where he completed FRCS and MCh (Orth) in Liverpool with ease. On return, he became an orthopedic surgeon in Stanley Medical College and Hospital and a visiting surgeon in Government Tuberculosis Sanatorium for few years. His contributions for the Medical Education in General and Orthopedic Surgery, Traumatology, and Rehabilitation in particular began during his tenure as a Professor and Head of department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Madras Medical College and Government General Hospital, when he held for 19 years (1957–1976) in Madras. He was mainly responsible for the holistic development of the specialty with starting of diploma and master's degree courses in orthopedics, a school of physiotherapy, a school of prosthesis and orthotics, drawing the plan for Government Institute of Rehabilitation and Artificial Limb Centre at Madras and blueprint for accident services for Tamil Nadu.
His widely acclaimed textbook for undergraduates has seen seven editions since 1982; his collaboration for “Madras Study of Tuberculosis” of Spine with Medical Research Council of Great Britain and Tuberculosis Research Centre of Indian Council of Medical Research, with US agency for rehabilitation and WHO has contributed vastly for better management of the common orthopedic problems of the developing countries.
Prof. M. Natarajan (1920–2005)
He was conferred Honorary Fellowship of Royal College of England, Honorary D. Litt of Annamalai University, and many more. He was a Founder Member of Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA), World Orthopaedic Concern, and Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Association. He retired as the Principal of Madras Medical College and was made the Emeritus Professor of Orthopedic Surgery of the college.
He lived to see his eldest son Dr. Mayil Vahanan Natarajan achieving laurels such as First Director of Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology and President of IOA. He passed away at the age of 85 years in 2005. He has certainly made an indelible mark in the history of Tamil Nadu Orthopaedics, Indian Orthopaedics.
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Conflicts of interest
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