The Resident's Guide to Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Book excerpt: Utilizing a practical, high-yield presentation, this textbook is a comprehensive review of the most common shoulder and elbow diagnoses and management strategies. It allows easy access to pertinent information for residents and fellows while preparing for rounds, the clinic and the operating room and also aides residents studying for their yearly in-training exam (OITE). Each topic is organized in a consistent, bulleted format so that the information flows in a logic manner: history, physical examination, imaging (when and what to order), and the most appropriate treatment algorithm. The most common classification systems are emphasized and illustrated, and treatment algorithms are further organized into non-operative and operative and include surgical approaches as well as the risks and complications of surgical intervention. The shoulder and elbow are covered in their own exclusive sections, with each chapter discussing the unique diagnostic considerations for each anatomic structure and the types of injuries to expect. Topics in the shoulder section include osteoarthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy and tears, instability, stiffness, SLAP tears and biceps tendinitis, and fractures of the clavicle and scapula. Topics in the elbow section include biceps and triceps rupture, lateral and medical epicondylitis, instability and stiffness, and elbow fractures - distal humerus, Monteggia, the terrible triad and more. Case material, key points and takeaways, and question-and-answer elements are included to enhance the text's overall utility. There is currently no textbook on the shoulder and elbow tailored specifically for orthopedic residents, fellows and senior medical students. The Resident's Guide to Shoulder and Elbow Surgery therefore provides a much-needed resource for early-career clinicians and surgeons.