Mark S. Myerson, editor. Illustrated by Michael E. Leonard.
Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 2000. 1640 pages. $295.00.
Some have compared this text with Jahss’s Disorders
of the Foot and Ankle: Medical and Surgical Management (W.B. Saunders,
1991), perhaps because of the recognition that Myerson gives, in the
preface, to the work of Jahss. Actually, the current work is very
different. Of the sixty-five authors, only seven contributed to
the second edition of Jahss’s text. Although both texts
contain chapters on the same subjects, as would be expected, the
subject matter and organization of Myerson’s text bear
little semblance to the earlier work.
This book shows the strong influence of Myerson’s own
work. Myerson wrote seven of the chapters, including one entitled "Principles
of Foot Surgery," and he coauthored two others. These chapters
rely heavily on Myerson’s earlier publications, which are
among the best on their respective subjects. Myerson has an excellent
understanding of difficult clinical situations, which appears to
be based on extensive experience and accurate observation.
The book has two major strengths. First, the large number of
clinical photographs distinguishes this text from others. Many of
the photographs are from Myerson’s practice, which provides
some consistency among the many chapters by different authors. Most
of the photographs demonstrate their point with clarity, and some
do so vividly and powerfully. For example, Figure 15-22, on page
428, shows extensive laceration of the skin occurring with removal
of a total-contact cast. This picture is certainly "worth
a thousand words." Selected photographs are presented in
color. The clinical examples of malignant melanoma, contact dermatitis, digital
Osler node, and many other pigmented cutaneous lesions are enhanced
greatly by the color reproductions, as are the photographs showing ankle
arthroscopy.
The second strength of this text is the large number of references
(ranging from eight to 250) found in almost every chapter. Although
a large number of references were used, the individual authors did
not hesitate to write on the basis of their own observations and
experience. As a result, there are a number of very specific suggestions
and clinical "pearls," which make the reading
more enjoyable.
Almost all of the fifty-nine chapters are succinct and well written;
in only a few is the coverage too cursory, superficial, or weak.
There are so many excellent chapters that it seems unfair to single
out particular examples. However, I found Chapter 22, on plastic
surgery, to be particularly enlightening. Chapter 17, by Bowker
and San Giovanni, is an outstanding discussion of amputation and
disarticulation. Chapter 27, by Sullivan, is an excellent discussion
on the lack of benefit of "corrective shoes." Chapters
32 and 33, by Glennon and Haddad, respectively, include informative
discussions on nerve syndromes. Quill’s chapter on ankle
arthritis contains a fascinating historical review of pharmacotherapy.
The book’s major weakness is the high number of errors.
A few are simple misspellings or minor errors in the text; however,
many are more significant. There are contradictions among different chapters.
For example, on page 1291, dancer’s fracture is defined
as a proximal tuberosity avulsion fracture of the fifth metatarsal,
and Figure 52-22 demonstrates the small proximal area involved. However,
on pages 1443 and 1446, dancer’s fracture is defined and
shown as a distal oblique spiral fracture of the fifth metatarsal.
In addition, there are twenty-three instances where, if not a frank
error, a statement or a figure label is confusing or misleading.
For example, on page 677, the author refers to the "longitudinal
axis of the lesser tarsus," but there is no diagram for
clarification; the only available diagram, Figure 25-5, shows a
longitudinal axis of the metatarsus and a transverse axis of the
midfoot but no longitudinal axis of the lesser tarsus.
Some very interesting procedures are described with no accompanying
diagram. These omissions make the book less valuable as a surgical
atlas than other works that are currently available.
This text would benefit considerably from use of a more professional
standard for the illustrations. Many of the radiographs have extraneous
pencil marks. In addition, the orientation of the illustrations
is often inconsistent; even side-by-side illustrations may show
the foot with the toes pointing superiorly in one image and inferiorly
in the other. Such inconsistencies, as well as the errors mentioned
above, detract from what is otherwise a very professional work.
The book reflects the energetic and aggressive surgical practice
of an extremely accomplished, knowledgeable editor. Many of the
contributing authors are of a similar mold. Unfortunately, foot surgery
is still too often practiced by the occasional foot surgeon, who
seems to regard the foot as a less important part of the human anatomy.
The foot is actually very unforgiving in tolerances for surgical mistakes.
Many of the procedures and examples shown in this book look deceptively
easy. The reader is cautioned to appraise his or her abilities realistically
when making surgical decisions.