Charles A. Rockwood Jr., Frederick A. Matsen III, Michael A. Wirth, and Steven B. Lippitt, editors. Philadelphia: Saunders-Elsevier; 2009. 1584 pages. $359.00. ISBN: 978-1-4160-3427-8.
When reviewing any textbook that is in its fourth edition, one must compare the most recent edition with the previous three editions. The changes that the editors have made to keep up with the times, as well as their inclusion of the explosion of new information that has emerged since the third edition, are obvious. They have included a two-disc series that covers the clinical evaluation of shoulder problems and highlights difficult disorders affecting the shoulder. One could be critical that some of the video is outdated; however, it is priceless to see a young Dr. Richard Hawkins examine a patient. The physical examination certainly has not changed over time as much as Dr. Hawkins has. The editors have added "The Expert Consult," which allows the reader to view the complete contents of the textbook online, making this reference book available anywhere at any time.
Drs. Rockwood and Matsen have been involved in the education of orthopaedic surgeons on problems concerning the shoulder for more than three decades. This textbook is a continuation of their dedication to the subspecialty of shoulder surgery. In this edition, along with coeditors Drs. Michael Wirth and Steven Lippitt, they have added associate editors Drs. Edward Fehringer and John Sperling. One can only wonder if this is a slow transitional changing of the guard; if so, they have chosen exceptional, young educators to pick up where they have left such a tremendous legacy.
The fourth edition of The Shoulder is well written and easily understood. There are thirty-four chapters in two volumes, comprising 1584 pages authored by some outstanding surgeons in the subspecialty of shoulder surgery. The chapters have all been updated, and the illustrations have been improved in comparison with those in previous editions. The only minor criticism that this reviewer can find is that the chapter on reverse ball-and-socket shoulder arthroplasty (Chapter 23) was probably written before some of the complications associated with this procedure were reported in the literature.
I congratulate the editors on the fourth edition of a classic textbook that should be in every hospital library, orthopaedic surgery department, and personal library of orthopaedic surgeons who treat shoulder conditions.