This book summarizes the experience gained by the Orthopedic Study Group for the Knee (OAK) of the Swiss Orthopedic Society in dealing with knee problems relating to deficiencies of the cruciate ligaments. The editors, R.P. Jakob and H.-U.Staubli, have collaborated with international authorities to produce this ex cellent work dealing with a great many aspects of knee surgery and especially the problems of the cruciate ligaments. For clarity, the book begins with definitions and explanations of basic biomechan ical terms. The chapters on Anatomy and Biomechanics present up-to-date scien tific information based on anatomic and biomechanical principles as they are ap plied in modern knee surgery. The second part of the book focuses on the OAK-sanctioned approach to knee documentation and evaluation, which is a valuable supplement to other knee evaluation schemes. The European Society for Knee Surgery (ESKA) and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) are currently at tempting to combine the advantages of the OAK system with an internationally valid evaluation scheme to create a standard evaluation and documentation sys tem that will be acceptable to all physicians.

The problems of the patellofemoral joint remain a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. In spite of many articles in scientific journals, an outstanding monograph, and several excellent textbook chapters, the patella is still an enigma in many respects. The etiology of patellar pain is controversial, and there is no completely satisfying explanation for its cause or its relationship to chondromalacia. Curiously, neither the widespread use of arthroscopy nor the advent of newer diagnostic tests such as CT scanning and magnetic resonance imaging have cast much light. Without a better understanding of why patellar disorders occur it is not surprising that there is no consensus on how to fix them. Arthros copy has contributed little except to the patient's psyche. The currently most popular surgical treatment for recurrent dislocation of the patella was first described 50 years ago. One concrete advance, albeit a small one, is a better understanding of the role of anatomical abnormalities and patellofemoral dysplasia in patellar instabilities. It gives me great pleasure that many of the contributors are, like Dr.

Focusing on the quantitative nature of biomechanics, this book integrates current literature, meaningful numerical examples, relevant applications, hands-on exercises, and functional anatomy, physics, calculus, and physiology to help students - regardless of their mathematical background - understand the full continuum of human movement potential.

First published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.