Foot and Ankle Disorders: Tricks of the Trade.

Lippert FG III, Hansen ST Jr. New York, NY 10001, Thieme, 2003, paperback, 159 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-58890-141-6, $49.

This pocket-sized handbook is prepared in atlas form and presents the authors' (and 8 different contributors') "tricks of the trade" in the surgical management of toot and ankle disorders. The "pearls" are well presented in an easy-to-reference form. Explanatory notes incorporating the recommended techniques, as well as possible pitfalls, are placed next to simple line drawings that outline the particular surgical anatomy or technique. The authors state that they focused on procedures that have a steep learning curve, result in a higher rate of postoperative complications or less-than-optimal results, and are difficult to understand or perform. Each of the 34 chapters addresses a different procedure or pathology, and the breadth of material is indicative of the types of pathologies seen in a foot and ankle practice.

This handbook may be a helpful resource for the physical therapist who wishes to learn more about the surgical management of these disorders or who desires a manual with diagrams that are simple enough for patient education. Postsurgical rehabilitation, however, is not discussed in this book. I would be more useful to an orthopedic or podiatric surgeon who might find it to be an excellent pocket reference or review guide as well as a patient education tool.

Robert Tank, PT, ATC 

ProRehab, PC

Evansville, Ind

Mr Tank is in private practice and specializes in the clinical management of foot and ankle disorders, with an emphasis on custom foot orthoses.