Publisher's Synopsis
The "Oxford Textbook of Rheumatology" has been designed to offer the trainee and the established specialist a comprehensive approach to this wide-ranging field of medicine. The text emphasizes an understanding of the underlying basic sciences, while at the same time providing a detailed practical guide for the clinician. Contributors are drawn from all over the world and have been chosen for their expertise in each sub-speciality.;The authors first introduce the subject by posing clinical conundrums which commonly face the rheumatologist and by describing the basic examination. They then emphasize the interactive nature of modern medicine by presenting a series of chapters co-authored by specialists in other fields such as cardiology and neurology. They describe the scientific basis of rheumatic diseases in terms of molecular genetics, immunology and developmental biology and signpost future directions for research.;Having considered the broad range for diagnostic techniques, they proceed with a comprehensive description of the individual rheumatic diseases, emphasizing tabulation of data and using high-quality clinical pictures and imaging techniques. They emphasize the similarities and differences in presentation according to age group and include relevant chapters written by paediatricians and geriatricians. Finally, they consider the aspects of surgical management and rehabilitation, highlighting newer forms of therapy and discussing controversial areas.
