H. David Moehring and Adam Greenspan, editors. Philadelphia:
Current Medicine; 2000. 248 pages. $199.00.
This concise summary of the clinical and radiographic diagnosis
as well as the treatment of a comprehensive spectrum of fractures
was edited by an orthopaedic traumatologist (Moehring) and a radiologist
(Greenspan). The editors state that "the goal is to provide
graphic sound bites in succinct and compact chapters that can be
rapidly referenced and used to complement standard orthopaedic texts." They
accomplish this goal in an easily readable, attractively presented
format.
The list of contributing authors reads like a "Who’s Who
in Orthopaedic Traumatology" and includes Hansen, Jupiter,
Kellam, Sarmiento, and Swiontkowski, to name just a few. The editors
are distinguished in their respective fields as well.
The book is divided into six sections, the first of which is
on orthopaedic imaging. The other five sections are divided anatomically
and cover the spine, pelvis and acetabulum, hip and femur, lower limb,
and upper extremities.
The section on imaging is well written and provides an excellent
overview of the appropriate radiographs needed in the diagnosis
of orthopaedic injuries. The authors point out when adjunct studies, such
as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are useful.
These first few chapters alone will be invaluable, especially to
those who are just beginning their orthopaedic careers and to nonorthopaedists
who treat acute injuries.
The remaining sections are compact and easy to read. The authors
are very objective in their presentation of treatment options, which
is refreshing. Some of the chapters, if not most, also include a discussion
of the author’s preferred treatment method, which is extremely
useful. Current controversies are addressed in an unbiased way that
lends both objectivity and credibility to the text as a whole. The
descriptions of surgical techniques complement the overall discussion.
The images in the text are clear and of high quality. There are
excellent descriptions and appropriate markings indicating certain
features. The line drawings are professional in appearance and have
superb anatomic detail. A few chapters also have black-and-white
intraoperative photographs which, while useful, perhaps would have
been better in color. Charts and tables are used appropriately to
summarize important concepts and classification schemes and are
especially useful for quick reference.
In summary, this is an excellent, concise synopsis of a vast
amount of information regarding fracture treatment. It will be extremely
useful for all physicians and other medical personnel who take care
of fractures. While it will by no means replace the other standard
fracture texts, it will complement them. Senior medical students,
emergency-medicine residents, and orthopaedic residents will find the
section on imaging to be a wonderful and quick resource for emergency-room
rotations and acute-care clinics, where a large volume of patients
with musculoskeletal problems is seen. This book is a must for orthopaedic
residency libraries and the emergency room.