Orthopedics - Oleksa A.P. 2006

Preface

The textbook "Orthopedics" is the first publication in the Ukrainian language in our independent state, primarily aimed at meeting the need of students and physicians for up-to-date information on orthopedic pathology. This is especially true for practicing orthopedists and traumatologists who did not receive sufficient training in orthopedics during their medical school studies due to the limited number of hours allocated to this course.

Publications on orthopedic topics in the medical literature are fragmented and mostly devoted to individual nosological entities, highlighting only specific problems. A more or less comprehensive and generalized Overview of orthopedic pathology that meets modern requirements has been lacking in Ukraine until now. We sought to fill this gap and provide students and practicing orthopedic surgeons with concise information on fetal developmental anomalies, as well as congenital and acquired diseases of The Musculoskeletal System.

Each nosological entity is described following a standard framework, with a strong emphasis on the early detection of dysplasias and Congenital Malformations.

The effectiveness of timely Diagnosis and conservative Treatment—beginning right in the maternity hospital—has been proven in practice, making it possible to prevent surgical interventions and childhood disability in a significant percentage of patients. A prime example of this is the successful conservative treatment of hip Dysplasia, Clubfoot, and other congenital anomalies.

The book adequately addresses complex acquired deformities in children resulting from flaccid and spastic paralysis, as well as common Congenital malformations and spinal disorders for which patients do not always receive adequate care. This includes Scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and inflammatory conditions of the spine.

Additionally, the book presents modern Perspectives on the Diagnosis and treatment of Degenerative-dystrophic Joint Diseases, Osteochondropathies, and synovitis and Arthritis of various etiologies encountered in the daily practice of family physicians, general practitioners, and surgeons.

Information on Bone and joint tumors and tumor-like conditions is critically important, as both benign and malignant tumors are increasingly diagnosed in both adults and children, while the Organization of qualified care for such patients still requires improvement.

The book also features concise information on Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders, the diagnosis, treatment, and Prevention of which must take their rightful place in modern medical practice.

The illustrative material complements the text and is largely drawn from various international sources, notably "Outline of Orthopaedics" (Crawford J.A., Hamblen D.L., 1990), the four-volume "Operative Orthopaedics" (Chapman M.W., 1993), "Principles of Orthopaedic Practice" (Dee R., Hurst L., Gruber M., 1997), and "Praktische Orthopädie" (Matzen/Matzen, 1990).

We hope that this Ukrainian-language edition of "Orthopedics" will be useful for students and early-career specialists, helping to facilitate the diagnosis of congenital and acquired orthopedic conditions and improve patient care.

Undoubtedly, the book is not without its flaws, and its ultimate value is left for the reader to judge. We will be grateful for any constructive comments and suggestions, which we will certainly take into account.