This book represents a renowned orthopedic surgeon’s lifetime experience with tibial plateau fractures. The purpose of the book is to provide fracture surgeons with an effective treatment plan and reference guide for the treatment of plateau fractures based on the results of the author’s 1533 cases and 1166 cited references.
The various chapters in the book deal with the diagnosis, classification, surgical approaches, treatment and complications of the 7 types of tibial plateau fractures that have been described by Hohl. A chapter is devoted to each fracture type, and the fracture is reviewed with respect to its incidence, commonly associated injuries, diagnosis, treatment, surgical technique, postoperative care, results and complications. The various treatment options used to deal with each type of tibial plateau fracture are simplified by the use of a treatment algorithm that reflects the author’s own decision-making process. The surgical technique for each type of treatment suggested in the treatment algorithm is then described. The chapter concludes with an explanation of the complications and results of the author’s own series.
The chapters are concise and well written. Each chapter dealing with a specific fracture type contains illustrations, a treatment algorithm and tables of the author’s results and complications, which further simplify and clarify the information presented in the text. An exhaustive number of references are used throughout the book: 1160 references and a short synopsis of almost every one of these is provided at the end of the book.
Overall, the author provides both a historical insight and a practical approach to the treatment of tibial plateau fractures that accurately reflect the management of these fractures in 1997. The book provides a rare opportunity to review the results of one of the world authorities in this field. Its user-friendly approach and simple treatment algorithms make it ideal for medical students and orthopedic residents. The treatment strategy and results mainly reflect those of the author, and there is little elaboration of the results of other surgeons. However, the author’s vast experience with tibial plateau fractures and the extensive references provided make this book a useful addition to the library of any fellow or orthopedic surgeon specializing in fracture treatment.