The history of the origin and development of the new Classification of Fractures was described in the preface to the French edition. The history of the acceptance of this new concept dates back to 1986, when the Swiss Association for the Study of the Problems of Internal Fixation (AO) accepted the new Classification of Fractures. In the same year, the Trustees of the AO/ASIF Foundation, at their annual meeting in Montreux, adopted the new AO Classification as the basis for fracture classification to be used in the planned third edition of the AO/ASIF Manual. In August 1987, the French edition of "The Comprehensive Classification of Fractures of Long Bones" made its first appearance, coincident with the Congress of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery (SICOn in Munich. This precipitated a great deal of interest in the subject. This interest persisted, so that in February of 1988 the President of SICOT, Sir Dennis Paterson, formed a "Presidential Commission for Documentation and Evaluation" with Maurice E. Muller as Chairman.

This important reference textbook covers the surgical management of all major orthopaedic and traumatological conditions. The book will act as the major source of education and guidance in surgical practice for surgeons and trainees, especially those preparing for higher surgical examinations and the Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology examinations within and beyond Europe. The emphasis throughout is on the application of current knowledge and research to technical problems, how to avoid operative problems, and how to salvage complications if they occur. The didactic text is complemented by abundant illustrations that highlight the essentials of each clinical scenario. The authors are all recognized international authorities active at congresses and workshops as well as in universities and hospitals across the world. ​

This open access book aims to provide a comprehensive but practical overview of the knowledge required for the assessment and management of the older adult with or at risk of fragility fracture. It considers this from the perspectives of all of the settings in which this group of patients receive nursing care. Globally, a fragility fracture is estimated to occur every 3 seconds. This amounts to 25 000 fractures per day or 9 million per year. The financial costs are reported to be: 32 billion EUR per year in Europe and 20 billon USD in the United States. As the population of China ages, the cost of hip fracture care there is likely to reach 1.25 billion USD by 2020 and 265 billion by 2050 (International Osteoporosis Foundation 2016). Consequently, the need for nursing for patients with fragility fracture across the world is immense. Fragility fracture is one of the foremost challenges for health care providers, and the impact of each one of those expected 9 million hip fractures is significant pain, disability, reduced quality of life, loss of independence and decreased life expectancy. There is a need for coordinated, multi-disciplinary models of care for secondary fracture prevention based on the increasing evidence that such models make a difference. There is also a need to promote and facilitate high quality, evidence-based effective care to those who suffer a fragility fracture with a focus on the best outcomes for recovery, rehabilitation and secondary prevention of further fracture. The care community has to understand better the experience of fragility fracture from the perspective of the patient so that direct improvements in care can be based on the perspectives of the users. This book supports these needs by providing a comprehensive approach to nursing practice in fragility fracture care.

This exhaustive reference includes new chapters and pedagogical features, as well as—for the first time—content on managing fragility factures. To facilitate fast, easy absorption of the material, this edition has been streamlined and now includes more tables, charts, and treatment algorithms than ever before. Experts in their field share their experiences and offer insights and guidance on the latest technical developments for common orthopaedic procedures, including their preferred treatment options.

Infections of the bones (osteomyelitis) and joints (septic arthritis) are serious health problems which require antibiotics and often surgery. Awareness among health professionals of the causes and treatment options for various types of bone and joint infections is essential for effective resolution. Bone and Joint Infections takes a multidisciplinary approach in covering the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis, including different types of implant-associated infections. Correct and rapid diagnosis of bone and joint infection is crucial, and requires the input of a variety of specialists. Bone and Joint Infection takes a similarly collaborative and comprehensive approach, including chapters authored by clinicians, laboratory specialists, and surgeons. Covering the basic microbiology and clinical aspects of bone and joint infection, this book will be a valuable resource both for researchers in the lab and for physicians and surgeons seeking a comprehensive reference on osteomyelitis and septic arthritis.

Progress in medical science, and the deeping of physician experience in general, make continuing education a fundamental obligation on the part of the practicing physician. Besides academies of advanced medical training, we feel that medical schools and uni versities offer a particularly good setting for continuing medical education. When the Hannover Medical School established West Germany's fIrst Department of Trauma Surgery in 1970, we committed ourselves to this goal and instituted the Hannover Trauma Seminars as a regional forum for continuing physician education. Made up almost entirely of our colleagues at the Trauma Surgery Clinic, the basic goal of the seminars is to review new discoveries and techniques in the fIeld of traumatology and assess their practical relevance to the physician who treats trauma victims. In addition to research, the experience ofthe Hannover School of Trauma Surgery form an important basis for seminar activities. The fIrst Trauma Seminar was held on February 2, 1972. Initially, copies ofthe proceed ings were simply distributed to all interested participants. But as attendance grew and demand for the proceedings increased, it became necessary to seek a broader form of publication. Henceforth, the Hannover Trauma Seminars will be published as part of the Topics in Traumatology series. For this we are grateful to Springer Verlag and to series editors Jorg Re~ and Leonhard Schweiberer.