Skip to main content

Main menu

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • Other Publications
    • abfm

User menu

Search

  • Advanced search
American Board of Family Medicine
  • Other Publications
    • abfm
American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Advanced Search

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • JABFM on Bluesky
  • JABFM On Facebook
  • JABFM On Twitter
  • JABFM On YouTube
Book ReviewBook Reviews

Medical Orthopedics: Conservative Management of Musculoskeletal Impairment. Edited by Rene Cailliet. 217 pp. Chicago, American Medical Association, 2003. $69.95 (paper). ISBN 1-57947-409-8.

Jonathan A. Drezner
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice November 2003, 16 (6) 569; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.16.6.569
Jonathan A. Drezner
MD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Musculoskeletal complaints account for up to 20% of visits to a primary care physician. Despite this, orthopedic training for family physicians is traditionally under-represented, and many physicians depend on references that provide concise yet comprehensive information regarding the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal disorders. A number of excellent references have been produced in recent years to aid family physicians in treating musculoskeletal disorders.

In this text, the author emphasizes restoring normal function in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders—an important concept often neglected in the treatment of painful orthopaedic conditions. The text includes a lengthy chapter on the vertebral column and a detailed chapter discussing reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Many clear and simple illustrations are present throughout the book, many of them addressing basic science concepts more distant to the practicing physician.

In general, however, I found the text difficult to read. Sections that would lend themselves well to outline format—such as key presenting symptoms, physical findings, or treatment strategies—are written in paragraph format and are difficult to follow. Differential diagnoses are also not included.

A larger concern relates to what is not included in this text. Many disorders that would be considered common to family physicians—such as knee osteoarthritis, patellar tendinopathy, rotator cuff tears, and impingement syndrome—are left out entirely. The author uses 25 pages to discuss reflex sympathetic dystrophy but spends only 10 pages to discuss knee and hip disorders combined. In addition, no specific diagnoses in the evaluation of low back pain—such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or spondylolysis—are discussed in detail.

I am also concerned about some of the treatment strategies advocated. The author suggests treatments that are controversial, if not potentially harmful—such as oral steroids in the treatment of rotator cuff inflammation and prolonged immobilization in the treatment of acromioclavicular separations. Many management recommendations are outdated—such as treating an isolated grade III medial collateral ligament tear of the knee with surgery or confirming a meniscal tear by use of computed tomography (or magnetic resonance imaging).

Although the title seems relevant for family physicians, I see little benefit for practicing physicians, residents, or students. The author is well respected, and I commend his emphasis on restoring normal function in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, I believe the attempt to condense information has provided a disappointing text. Other references available—such as Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care (AAOS), Fracture Management for Primary Care (Eiff, Hatch, and Calmbach), and Sports Medicine (Brukner and Khan)—are more comprehensive, better outlined, and more appropriate for family physicians.

PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice: 16 (6)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
Vol. 16, Issue 6
1 Nov 2003
  • Table of Contents
  • Index by author
Print
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Board of Family Medicine.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Medical Orthopedics: Conservative Management of Musculoskeletal Impairment. Edited by Rene Cailliet. 217 pp. Chicago, American Medical Association, 2003. $69.95 (paper). ISBN 1-57947-409-8.
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Board of Family Medicine
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Board of Family Medicine web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
11 + 2 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Citation Tools
Medical Orthopedics: Conservative Management of Musculoskeletal Impairment. Edited by Rene Cailliet. 217 pp. Chicago, American Medical Association, 2003. $69.95 (paper). ISBN 1-57947-409-8.
Jonathan A. Drezner
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Nov 2003, 16 (6) 569; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.16.6.569

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Medical Orthopedics: Conservative Management of Musculoskeletal Impairment. Edited by Rene Cailliet. 217 pp. Chicago, American Medical Association, 2003. $69.95 (paper). ISBN 1-57947-409-8.
Jonathan A. Drezner
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Nov 2003, 16 (6) 569; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.16.6.569
Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Family Focused Behavioral Pediatrics. First edition. By William Lord Coleman. 322 pp. Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001. $32.95. ISBN 0-7817-2857-6.
  • Clinical Manual of Emergency Pediatrics. Fourth edition. Edited by Ellen F. Crain and Jeffrey C. Gershel. 762 pp. New York, McGraw Hill, 2003. $39.95. ISBN 0-07-137750-6.
Show more Book Reviews

Similar Articles

Navigate

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues

Authors & Reviewers

  • Info For Authors
  • Info For Reviewers
  • Submit A Manuscript/Review

Other Services

  • Get Email Alerts
  • Classifieds
  • Reprints and Permissions

Other Resources

  • Forms
  • Contact Us
  • ABFM News

© 2025 American Board of Family Medicine

Powered by HighWire