Fracture Management for Primary Care. Second edition. Edited by M. Patrice Eiff, Robert L. Hatch, and Walter L. Calmbach. 398 pp, illustrated. Philadelphia, W B Saunders, 2003. $54.95 (paper). ISBN: 0–7216-9344-X.

When Fracture Management for Primary Care was first published in 1998, I believed this text would rapidly gain prominence on the shelves in most practicing family physician’s offices. I am pleased that many primary care physicians have responded so positively to the book, thus leading to a second edition. Unfortunately, even though family physicians see approximately 10% of their patients for orthopedic-related complaints, they provide only 14% of the care for pediatric fractures and 16% of the total care for fractures. With appropriate knowledge, experience, and a good reference, many more fractures could be treated safely and expeditiously by family physicians.

The editors have produced a readable and concise text that is relevant for the care of patients typically seen in family practice. The organization is logical, progressing from the fingers, upper extremity, trunk and spine to the lower extremity. Two new chapters on facial and skull fractures and rib fractures were added to the end of the second edition. The authors also supplemented the new text by adding more information about pediatric fractures and return-to-work guidelines.

A particular strength of the first addition was the many illustrations and radiographs of common fractures. This second edition enhances upon the first edition with additional illustrations and improved quality. Most textbooks that contain this many illustrations cost more than $100, but the publishing company has managed to keep the price of this text at approximately $55. I do not think a better bargain exists for a sports medicine or orthopedics textbook.

We have adopted Fracture Management for Primary Care as a standard text in our residency education and sports medicine fellowship training. I would encourage primary care physicians who do fracture management to consider this text as a possible addition to their library. The widespread use of the first edition and the improvements in the second addition suggest that this publication might become the classic text that every family physician wants to own.