CRC SML ANML ORTHPD PDF

Preface

The past decade has seen numerous advancements in the field of small animal ortho - pedics, not only in the basic sciences; the clinical application of imaging modali ties, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and scintigraphy; con - tinued experimental and clinical research in biomechanics, cartilage physiology and pathophysiology, bone biology, fracture healing, and musculoskeletal tumor develop - ment and treatment; but also in the technological development of new or improved instrumentation and implant systems, which have greatly enhanced our understanding of orthopedics and the treatment of dogs and cats with orthopedic abnormalities.

This book is not intended to be a comprehensive text reviewing every facet of small animal orthopedics. Rather this book is designed to be an illustrated, self-directed educational tool containing current information which should be of value to veterinary students, interns and residents in training, small animal practitioners with a specific interest in orthopedics, and specialists involved in small animal orthopedics. The broad classification of cases on page 8 allows the reader who is interested in a general aspect of the subject to turn quickly and easily to questions on a related topic, while the index allows the reader to search for a particular subject if desired.

The clinical practice of orthopedics is a combination of science, experience, and judgement. The reader's answers to selected questions may differ from those contained within this book. The contributors have made a thorough effort to make the informa - tion in this book as up to date and accurate as possible, but the reader should be aware that alternative answers to some questions, particularly clinical scenarios, may, and do, exist.

This text is one in a series of self-assessment guides designed to facilitate learning through selected clinical case situations or specific, applied-research materials. An inter - national group of forty-nine orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and anat - omists have contributed to this text. The breadth of their expertise has made the con - tent of this text diverse, in-depth, and on the cutting edge of small animal ortho pedics.

This book was inspired by the late Mark S. Bloomberg. The contributors enthusi astically gave their time in their desire to pay respect to a man who influenced us all as veterinarians, surgeons, and individuals. We hope this book will serve its readers as a valuable learning tool.