Publisher's Synopsis
The practice of spinal surgery has traditionally been split between orhtopaedic surgeons with a special interest in the spine and neurosurgeons. This division is reflected in the existing literature, where the emphasis in the major textbooks is generally on orthopaedic procedures. In recent years, most notably in the US, spinal surgery has emerged as a separate speciality. The editors of "Surgery of the Spine - a Combined Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Approach" have assembled an international team of contributors, with the primary aim of bringing together the expertise and experience of two distinct surgical specialities and providing an integrated approach to the management of spinal disorders in a major reference work.;The introductory chapter gives an account of the historical development of spinal surgery and sets out the philosophical and practical reasons for a combined orthopaedic and neurosurgical approach to the management of spinal disorders. The following eleven chapters cover the basic sciences, clinical assessemnt and the latest investigative techniques. The remainder of the text is devoted to an account of all conditions which affect the spine ranging from congenital deformity to degenerative disease, trauma, infections, metabolic diseases, the management of spinal pain and spasticity and the management of all spinal lesions. The clinical aspects of each condition are dealt with and the various options for diagnosis and treatment are presented.
