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.