Dedicated to the late Kenneth A. Johnson, MD, who edited the first edition (1994), and consistent with the goal of the Master Techniques series, this hardcover technical manual is designed to provide practical advice and suggestions concerning the difficult but common problems encountered in foot and ankle surgery. It is a step-by-step detailed surgical guide allowing the reader to peer over the shoulder of an expert surgeon, although it is biased toward the favored techniques of the author. Chapter authors were chosen for their experience, operative skills, and recognized expertise with specific surgical entities.
Far from being comprehensive in scope, each chapter concentrates on the individual author’s practical experience including tips, pearls, and illustrative cases. Although a couple of chapters from the first edition have been deleted, such as the one on the Mitchell osteotomy, the book has been expanded from 37 to 43 chapters by 52 contributing authors. Most of the six additional chapters are found in the expanded section on ankle surgery, where there is substantial and intriguing information on arthroscopy to arthrodesis. Otherwise, the text has been updated to reflect emerging procedures and new technology. More attention is paid to lesser toe deformities, hallux limitus, and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.
As with the first edition, the text is profusely illustrated with color clinical photographs, line drawings, radiographs, and other imaging studies. The color is of much better quality in this edition. Still, the material is not well referenced, and there is little information on long-term follow-up or outcomes.
In summary, this illustrative book offers practical guidance to foot and ankle surgeons at every level of training and experience. It is an excellent complement to the plethora of referenced textbooks available today. From another perspective, it is the patients who will benefit the most from the efforts of these contributing authors.
