If you are an
orthopaedic student and you want to lay a firm foundation
for your future practice in Orthopaedic surgery
then there could be no
better book than Apley’s textbook of
Orthopaedics and fractures. The
single volume book covers the entire breadth and width of orthopaedics,
so to speak! There is no topic in Orthopaedics that this book does not
cover. The book is divided into three main categories General
orthopaedics, Regional Orthopaedics and, Fractures and Dislocations.
General Orthopaedics covers systemic afflictions that have an impact on
the musculoskeletal system. The authors have conveniently divided the
skeletal system into various regions and, covered diseases and
disabilities affecting each region in separate chapters. These chapters
are listed under Regional orthopaedics. Traumatology, an entire subject
in itself is covered in detail in the last category. Each topic is
organised into separate headings, each covering the Epidemiology,
History, Clinical findings including the signs and symtoms, laboratory
investigations, differential diagnosis and management where applicable.
Though treatment is not described in detail the principles are well
spelt out. A list of relevant books is also listed for further reading.
Tables are provided to list classifications, signs and symptoms or
treatment strategies. A number of clinical pictures depicting diseased
parts, demonstrating clinical signs, and of significant radiograms
comparing the injured and treated limbs make the book visually
appealing. The text matter is laid out in two columns, the pictorial
and tabular matter is neatly interspersed among them. The most recent
edition is a coloured version and exploits the use of colours to
visually attract the inspired student to take the plunge into
orthopaedics. The paper is of very high quality and the pages are bound
together firmly. It has well laid out content and index pages.The
language used to describe the clinical conditions is lucid and the use
of complicated terminology is kept to the bare minimum. As an
introduction to
Orthopaedic Surgery this book would serve as an ideal
companion to the student of Surgery.