- Email: [email protected]
The upper limb in cerebral palsy
Hand Clin 19 (2003) xi
Preface
The upper limb in cerebral palsy
Michael A. Tonkin, MD, FRACS Guest Editor
This issue of the Hand Clinics is devoted to the upper limb in cerebral palsy. Surgery undoubtedly has a role to play—more so for disorders in which spasticity is dominant—and perhaps, as far as function is concerned, is ideally directed toward the child with spastic hemiplegia who has good sensibility and pre-existing function in the affected upper limb. Surgery for severe deformity, with or without pain, is beneficial in improving both appearance and ease of management for carers. In severely affected cases, function is unlikely to be improved. Surgery is not suitable for all and should only be undertaken after careful and frequent consideration. Therefore, Part 1 of this issue is devoted to assessment and nonsurgical management so that the surgeon to whom this text is directed has the benefit of the assessment and management methods provided by nonsurgical physicians and therapists, who play such an important role in the care of those afflicted by cerebral palsy. The authors are not only of disparate medical background but also reflect international knowledge and experience in this field, with European, North American, South American, and Australian contributors. If there is a preponderance of Australian authors, this is because the guest editor was able to exert greater editorial control over his own countrymen and -women. However, one of the joys
of acting as a guest editor is to appreciate the charm of the English language as written by those for whom English is not the first language. I have tried to retain the flavor of nationality in English expression, because I believe it enriches us all. The faults of any multi-authored book are repetition and lack of continuity. I have attempted to minimize repetition while allowing each article to stand on its own as a reference for its particular topic. Finally, this issue would never have been published were it not for the invaluable assistance of Susan Filan, research assistant in the Department of Hand Surgery at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, in whose hands I placed most of the onerous tasks associated with preparing these 14 articles for publication. I have no doubt that the invited authors are aware of her efforts. My gratitude also goes to Deb Dellapena at Elsevier, who provided invaluable advice and support to the guest editor and the authors. Michael A. Tonkin, MD, FRACS Department of Hand Surgery Royal North Shore Hospital Pacific Highway St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia E-mail address: [email protected]
1042-3680/03/$ - see front matter Ó 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0749-0712(03)00097-0
Preface
The upper limb in cerebral palsy
Michael A. Tonkin, MD, FRACS Guest Editor
This issue of the Hand Clinics is devoted to the upper limb in cerebral palsy. Surgery undoubtedly has a role to play—more so for disorders in which spasticity is dominant—and perhaps, as far as function is concerned, is ideally directed toward the child with spastic hemiplegia who has good sensibility and pre-existing function in the affected upper limb. Surgery for severe deformity, with or without pain, is beneficial in improving both appearance and ease of management for carers. In severely affected cases, function is unlikely to be improved. Surgery is not suitable for all and should only be undertaken after careful and frequent consideration. Therefore, Part 1 of this issue is devoted to assessment and nonsurgical management so that the surgeon to whom this text is directed has the benefit of the assessment and management methods provided by nonsurgical physicians and therapists, who play such an important role in the care of those afflicted by cerebral palsy. The authors are not only of disparate medical background but also reflect international knowledge and experience in this field, with European, North American, South American, and Australian contributors. If there is a preponderance of Australian authors, this is because the guest editor was able to exert greater editorial control over his own countrymen and -women. However, one of the joys
of acting as a guest editor is to appreciate the charm of the English language as written by those for whom English is not the first language. I have tried to retain the flavor of nationality in English expression, because I believe it enriches us all. The faults of any multi-authored book are repetition and lack of continuity. I have attempted to minimize repetition while allowing each article to stand on its own as a reference for its particular topic. Finally, this issue would never have been published were it not for the invaluable assistance of Susan Filan, research assistant in the Department of Hand Surgery at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, in whose hands I placed most of the onerous tasks associated with preparing these 14 articles for publication. I have no doubt that the invited authors are aware of her efforts. My gratitude also goes to Deb Dellapena at Elsevier, who provided invaluable advice and support to the guest editor and the authors. Michael A. Tonkin, MD, FRACS Department of Hand Surgery Royal North Shore Hospital Pacific Highway St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia E-mail address: [email protected]
1042-3680/03/$ - see front matter Ó 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0749-0712(03)00097-0