Walter B. Greene, editor. Rosemont, Illinois: American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2001. 725 pages. $90.00 (members), $105.00
(nonmembers).
This is the second edition of this text, which was published
by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Robert K. Snider
edited the first edition, which was published in 1997. The current
edition is very similar in format. The eight-member editorial board
includes four of the original members. The American Academy of Pediatrics
again participated in the review of the material in the section
on pediatric orthopaedics and approved the text as a resource for
its members.
In many instances, the chapters are nearly the same as in the first
edition; in others, the language has been changed for clarification;
and in still others, the material has been rearranged to conform
to the new editorial style. Several chapters have been added, and
suggested ICD-9 codes are included in each chapter.
With the exception of the sections on general orthopaedics and
pediatric orthopaedics, the material is presented in anatomically
oriented sections, and the individual chapters are organized alphabetically,
sometimes with use of eponyms. For the nonorthopaedic practitioner,
it may have been more helpful to continue the anatomic organization.
While each chapter contains a list of differential diagnoses, the
presentation would have been strengthened by a few comments emphasizing
the features that distinguish a particular diagnosis from those
on the differential list.
The section on the knee and lower leg is especially well done, consistent,
and concise. In the section on the hip and thigh, the chapter on
fractures of the proximal part of the femur seems a bit brief and
general. It would have been helpful to have included a reminder
that certain hip conditions are covered in the pediatric section.
The illustrations are clear, helpful, and appropriate. In one
or two instances, the legends are incomplete or confusing. In the table
on common spine conditions, on page 520, scoliosis is listed only
for the younger-than-ten-years age-group but not for the eleven-to-nineteen-years
age-group. However, the chapter on the physical examination of the
spine is particularly well done.
As stated in the preface, one of the bases for the book is the judicious
use of our limited resources in the provision of excellent care.
Perhaps future editions could offer some advice about the timing
of diagnostic studies and the specific indications for the more
expensive tests, in order to avoid the unnecessary utilization and
cost associated with redundant or superfluous studies.
In a book such as this, which has sixty-three contributors and seventeen
reviewers, decisions regarding what to include and what to leave
out are difficult, but overall a good compromise was reached. The
goal of the publication was clearly identified and was exceeded
by a substantial margin. This work has been and will continue to
be an excellent and valuable resource for students and nonorthopaedic
practitioners, and it warrants a space on the reference shelf.