Thomas E. Trumble. With the collaboration of Shelly
M. Sailer. Illustrations by Butkui Barney Chiu. Philadelphia: W.B.
Saunders; 2000. 672 pages. $139.00.
Dr. Trumble, with the help of thirteen contributors, has written
a refreshingly clear and comprehensive text on the basic concepts
of the evaluation and treatment of hand conditions. The text conveys
the concise perspective that Dr. Trumble has gained in his years
of treating patients with hand problems.
The book’s thirty-two chapters cover in detail such topics
as the anatomy and examination of the hand, fracture-healing, hand
fractures, compartment syndrome, fingertip and nail-bed injuries,
amputations and prosthetics, hand infections, burns, flexor and extensor
tendon injuries, the physiology and repair of peripheral nerves,
brachial plexus injuries, compressive neuropathies, tendon transfers,
tetraplegia, arthritis of the hand and wrist, Kienböck
disease, and benign and malignant neoplasms of the upper extremity.
There are outstanding chapters on fractures and dislocations of
the carpus, injuries of the distal radioulnar joint and the triangular
fibrocartilage complex, and the treatment of fractures and malunions
of the distal aspect of the radius. A discussion of the principles
of postoperative rehabilitation, by two hand therapists, offers
careful guidelines for treatment.
An excellent feature of this book is the reference section. Each
chapter ends with the most pertinent and important references on
the subject being covered.
This thorough book contains a wealth of surgical information
on the hand. It will be an important and valuable addition to the
libraries of orthopaedic, plastic, and general surgeons who perform
hand surgery, and it also will be useful to orthopaedic and plastic
surgery residents.