The Knee 1995; ‘I : 241

Book reviews

The Patellofemoral Joint James Fox and Wilson Del Pizzo McGraw-Hill Europe, Berkshire, UK, 1993, 399 pp., f71.50 ISBN 0 070 21753 X

There are sufficient management problems and mysteries surrounding the patellofemoral joint to justify a whole volume devoted to this single articular surface. Indeed, this subject has been tackled before by one or two individuals but this new book has a depth and breadth that only a multi- author volume can achieve. It is appropriate that a single chapter of more general interest by Dr Henry Mankin, dedicated to articular cartilage, is included in the introductory section. The other contributions deal specifically with aspects of the patellofemoral joint.

Malalignment causes problems in recognition, imaging, classification and treatment. Imaging techniques are particularly well covered with special reference to CT and MRI technology. Some new surgical techniques, such as osteotomy for patellofemoral dysplasia are described. The chapter on fracture correctly emphazises the reconstruction of the articular surface rather than the ‘radiological patella’.

There are sections on reflex sympathetic dystrophy, degenerative joint disease, paediatric problems and sports injuries: I could find no significant omission. There are useful references to both open and arthroscopic surgical techniques and even the seasoned arthroscopist may get one or two tips on how better to visualize the patellofemoral joint.

The book is rounded off with eight well chosen case studies and each of these is discussed by two or three experts. This section, in particular, gives the reader a contemporary consensus view on the management of some of the common problems.

Clearly, this book is aimed at the specialist knee surgeon. It is well produced and illustrated and although the style varies from chapter to chapter it is on the whole very readable. Whilst reviewing this book it has proved a useful source of reference on two occasions and I believe that many specialists will want a copy of their own.

Andrew Jackson London, UK

Intra-Articular Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Edited by Angus Strover Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, UK, 1993, 269 pp., f85.00, 07506 1385 8

Despite being associated with a particular ligament prosthesis himself, Angus Strover has produced a nicely balanced multi- author monograph on this complex and challenging subject. Most of the contributors to this monograph are American or Japanese.

The strength of this book lies in its chapter on consensus with principles for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Here it is good to see that a number of common threads and themes run through the experience of a number of different workers with very varying techniques. Thus the disadvantages of using an inert material are highlighted, as are those of taking a donor graft. Concern is reserved regarding cadaver material.

The importance of isometricity and of accurate placement of the grafts is paramount, as is the importance of avoiding stress riders with the tunnels and fixation, particularly at the tunnel mouths within the knee itself. This is a well illustrated book, many of the illustrations, however, are quite small scale although numerous. This book would be particularly useful for the relatively inexperienced surgeon wanting to look up a blow-by-blow technique, before embarking on a procedure himself or assisting with one.

As a publication it is good quality; at 269 pages and L85.00 it is by today’s standards quite good value for money.

It is certainly a more than useful reference book for any surgeon involved with anterior cruciate reconstruction and contains an excellent bibliography. Jonathan Noble Hope Hospital, Salford

0 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd 0968-0160/95/04241-01