The article considers process of institutionalization of Russian traumatology and orthopedics. It is demonstrated that process of institutionalization goes on in undulating manner takes in average about 50 years, from the moment of statement of a question to ultimate assignment of specialty of traumatology and orthopedics, organization of institutes and chairs of traumotology and orthopedics with alternation of dominance of ducens- and mandate model. On the basis of developed criteria chronological clusters and periods. The selection of traumatology and orthopedics into independent field was related not to a transition to a new stage of development of science but to general process of increasing of differentiation and specialization in medicine.
Keywords: history of medicine; institutionalization; traumotology and orthopedics.