In medical writing brevity is the kiss of life. Nevertheless most articles are unnecessarily lengthy and publications continue to multiply. Pity the poor reader! A succession of unduly long articles is bad enough, but if each is followed by a plethora of references the effect is positively daunting. Even the reader who is impressed by the length of a list may question the author's discrimination. Were all those references needed? Were they helpful? Has the authorreally read every one? All too often we look in vain for evidence of selectivity. Here lies the strength of this book. The authors have combed the literature and culled it ruthlessly, selecting just a few hand-picked references on every important aspect of orthopaedic trauma. They have ranged widely but chosen narrowly, and with a sense of balance. And having selected, they have also distilled, adding a brief and thoughtful commentary on each group of entries. The four authors, of varying vintages, met at frequent intervals to discuss each section in tum and to debate the value of every inclusion. I can almost hear the cut and thrust as well-informed views were exchanged, and also the sighs of relief as differences were resolved. The authors compare their meetings with those of the Editorial Board of the IBIS; since these are a delightful mixture of conflict, entertainment and enlightenment, what a marvellous time they must have had.
Section 1: General Principles.- The Multiply Injured Patient.- Fracture Healing and Internal Fixation.- Delayed Union, Non-Union and Bone Grafts.- Open Fractures.- External Fixation of Fractures.- Pathological Fractures.- Vascular Injuries.- Peripheral Nerve Injuries.- Sudeck's Atrophy.- Paediatric Trauma: General Aspects.- Tetanus and Gas Gangrene.- Section 2: The Upper Limb.- Brachial Plexus Injuries.- Fractures of the Clavicle.- Injuries of the Sternoclavicular Joint.- Injuries of the Acromioclavicular Joint.- Dislocations of the Shoulder Joint.- Acute Tears of the Rotator Cuff.- Fractures of the Proximal Humerus.- Fractures of the Shaft of the Humerus.- Fractures of the Distal Humerus in the Adult.- Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children.- Epiphyseal Injuries in the Distal Humerus.- Dislocations of the Elbow.- Fractures of the Radial Head in the Adult.- Fractures of the Head and Neck of the Radius in Children.- Fractures of the Olecranon.- Fractures of the Shaft of the Radius and Ulna in the Adult.- Fractures of the Shaft of the Radius and Ulna in Children.- Monteggia and Galeazzi Fractures.- Colles' Fracture.- Smith's Fracture.- Section 3: The Hand.- Primary Treatment of the Acutely Injured Hand.- Anaesthesia in Hand Surgery.- Fractures of the Scaphoid.- Dislocations of the Carpus.- Carpal Instability.- Fractures of the Hand.- Dislocations and Ligament Injuries in the Digits.- Flexor Tendon Injuries.- Extensor Tendon Injuries.- Nerve Injuries in the Hand.- Finger Tip Injuries and Amputations.- High Pressure Injection Injuries.- Infections in the Hand.- Replantation.- Rehabilitation.- Section 4: The Spine.- Classification and Mechanisms of Injury.- Spinal Cord Injury.- Injuries of the Cervical Spine.- Injuries of the Thoracolumbar Spine.- Fracturesof the Pelvis.- Section 5: The Lower Limb.- Dislocations of the Hip and Fractures of the Acetabulum.- Hip Fractures in the Elderly.- Sub-capital Fractures.- Inter-Trochanteric Fractures.- Hip Fractures in Children.- Fractures of the Shaft of the Femur.- Supracondylar Fractures of the Femur in the Adult.- Supracondylar Fractures of the Femur in the Child.- Soft Tissue Injuries of the Knee.- Dislocations of the Knee.- Fractures of the Patella.- Dislocations of the Patella.- Dislocation of the Proximal Tibiofibular Joint.- Fractures of the Tibial Plateau.- Fractures of the Tibia.- Ankle Fractures.- Injuries of the Lateral Ligament of the Ankle.- Rupture of the Achilles Tendon.- Fractures of the Talus.- Sub-Talar Dislocation of the Foot.- Fractures of the Calcaneum.- Mid-Tarsal Injuries.- Tarso-Metatarsal Injuries.- Author Index.
