Knee arthroplasty

Book Reviews Knee Arthroplasty. Thomas P. Sculco and Ermanno A. Martucci, Editors. New York, Springer-Verlag Wien, 2001, 250 pp., $139.00 This text on all aspects of knee arthroplasty is the first attempt by these noted authors and the editors to examine the current state of knee replacement surgery. The contributors have been selected based on their experience and expertise in knee arthroplasty and they include both North American and European surgeons. The book is intended for all orthopaedists but is especially well suited for residents, fellows, and others with a specific interest in joint replacement. The material is organized into five sections: Biomechanics, Surgical Technique, Prosthetic Selection, Complications, and Miscellanea. Each section is subdivided into several chapters. The text is well organized and flows from one topic to another with little interruption. The chapters have excellent illustrations and diagrams to facilitate the topic. The sections on biomechanics and surgical technique are especially relevant to residents and fellows and provide a solid basis for understanding the principles of knee arthroplasty. These introductory chapters provide an excellent discussion of posterior cruciate ligament anatomy and function, polyethylene and prosthetic design considerations, and surgical approach selection. Specific chapters also address critical issues such as soft-tissue balancing, the patellofemoral joint, unicompartmental knee replacement, and rotating platform devices. A constant theme throughout the book is the focus on current trends in knee arthroplasty as well as new approaches to improve patient satisfaction and outcome, and to prevent processes that may lead to osteolysis, polyethylene wear, or other similar complications. There is only one specific chapter with the title “Revision Knee Arthroplasty” but this too is dealt with throughout the text within other sections and chapters. Additional areas of the text include good chapters on loosening, DVT prophylaxis, blood management, rehabilitation, and even the current state of economic pressures involved in patient care. This is an excellent text for all orthopaedists who perform knee replacement surgery. It is clear, concise, and well organized. It can be read easily from cover to cover in several sittings, but it can also be kept and studied and used as a resource for both the basic principles of knee arthroplasty as well as for complicated cases. Future editions of this text will undoubtedly continue to address the most current topics in knee replacement. I highly recommend it as a basic text for all residents and as an addition to the experienced physician’s library. David J. Howe, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics. Paul Brinckmann, Wolfgang Frobin, and Gunnar Leivseth. New York, Georg Thieme Verlag, 2002, 243 pp., $49.00 As stated in the preface, this book aims to accurately provide the reader with a basic understanding of biomechanical principles and theory, with particular emphasis on the human locomotor system, and use this insight as a foundation to critically analyze dysfunction and understand treatment and rehabilitation concepts. Special effort is made to make the text user-friendly by including an abundant 244 illustrations and by simplifying complex equations where possible without sacrificing essential content. With a list price of $49.00, this book is an affordable and particularly valuable resource for residents and fellows in the fields of orthopedics and physical medicine. The book is divided into four parts. Chapters 2–7 provide an introduction to fundamental physics and mechanics, and cover topics including vector algebra, two-dimensional translation and rotation, and mechanics of solid materials. Stress-strain diagrams and basic concepts including viscoelasticity, fatigue, and anisotropy are also introduced in this section. Plenty of figures are provided to effectively illustrate key points. Chapters 8 –15 focus on analyzing the function of highly loaded joints (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee, and lumbar spine) as well as the mechanical behavior of biological tissues (e.g., muscle, tendon, skin, bone). Freebody diagram analysis is introduced, explained well, and practically applied to determine the effect various diseases (e.g., muscular dystrophy, degenerative joint disease) and clinical interventions (e.g., orthoses, surgery) have on joint mechanics. These chapters are especially well organized by topic, and provide a clear and concise source of useful information. Appendix A provides detailed analyses and discussion of specific clinical topics, including loading of the lumbar spine, causes of disc prolapse, and effect of mechanical loading on bone mineral density. For those so inclined, Appendix B contains more advanced theoretical mathematics to describe three-dimensional rigid body translation and rotation, and ends with a discussion of error types and their influences. Each chapter ends with a complete list of supporting scientific references, as well as pertinent textbooks and review papers recommended for further study. Overall, this book does an excellent job of blending current basic biomechanical theory with applied principles in a well organized, concise, superbly illustrated, “readable” format. Application of simplified biomechanical concepts to practical clinical scenarios helps to effectively demystify and reinforce this subject material, which is often feared or neglected. I highly recommend

Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 7 (September), 2003 799-802

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