Surgery is favoured in competing athletes and in cases where the rupture has become chronic. Conservative treatment is a good alternative for managing acute ruptures in normally active patients as well as in elderly and non-active patients.

This issue of Foot and Ankle Clinics, edited by Dr. Selene Parekh, will cover Treatment of Acute and Chronic Tendon Rupture and Tendinopathy. Topics discussed in the issue include, but are not limited to: Understanding the Anatomy and biomechanics; Tendonitis & Tendinopathy; Presentation, diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment options; The Missed Achilles Tear; Insertional Tendinopathy of the Achilles; Allograft Reconstruction for Achilles Disease; Using Arthroscopic Techniques for Achilles Pathology; Osteotomies for Achilles pathologies; Surgical treatment of acute ruptures of the peroneals, among others.

Disorders of the Achilles tendon are universal, affecting people in a wide range of age groups. Because the Achilles tendon is one of the most pow- ful musculotendinous structures in the body, the impact of an injury to the Achilles tendon becomes magnified. There is a wide range of disorders or problems that can involve the insertional region, where pathology may rest with bone, tendon, or bursae. A completely different set of pathologic entities resides in the noninsertional region, one of which may include the frustrating degenerative tendinopathy. As our growing population ages but remains phy- cally active longer into life, the incidence of these disorders will continue to increase. I am proud to be given the opportunity to write the foreword to this text, which is intended for foot and ankle surgeons worldwide. Seldom does a book on a single entity become a current concepts review, as this work has. Too often, textbooks are not published for several years after the chapters have been written, making them obsolete upon publication. Not so with this book, which deals with timely topics on the Achilles tendon. Dr. James Nunley has compiled this work in slightly over a year, thus providing the reader with sta- of-the-art material. Dr. Nunley had the foresight to create a much needed techniques-oriented book dealing with the complexities of the Achilles tendon. His approach was to develop a comprehensive guide to managing Achilles tendon problems.

This book, written by leading experts in the field, is a comprehensive guide to the best available techniques in Achilles tendon surgery. Each surgical procedure is described step by step, covering all of the approaches employed for the most common and important Achilles tendon pathologies. The clear descriptions are complemented by superb drawings prepared by a medical artist on the basis of photographs supplied by the authors. Pearls and possible pitfalls are identified to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. The book is the outcome of a collaboration among international Achilles tendon experts – the Achilles Tendon Study Group – that has already resulted in four other books on current concepts relating to the Achilles tendon. Like these previous volumes, The Achilles Tendon – An Atlas of Surgical Procedures is based on the highest level of evidence and expertise. It will be invaluable for orthopaedic surgeons, trauma surgeons, and residents, assisting them in their daily clinical work.

This book will be of considerable interest to students, practitioners (Doctors, Physiotherapists, and other health care professionals), and researchers who deal with the complex structure of tendons and the need to effectively address tendon disorders. The book is divided into three sections: (1) Basic Biology and Biochemical Markers; (2) Metabolic Disorders; and (3) Novel Therapies. The first section, devoted to the basic biology of tendons, is aimed at those individuals who want to gain basic information on tendons and the subsection on biochemical markers is chiefly aimed at researchers who are developing new studies within this field. The section on metabolic disorders is mainly directed at practitioners who desire to know how metabolic disorders can affect tendons in order to optimize treatment for their patients. Finally, the section on novel therapies is focused on some new treatment options within this field, and discussions regarding how management of tendon disorders needs to incorporate perspectives on current understanding of tendon metabolism.

This concise volume in the Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine series, published under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, provides a dependable source of current knowledge available on tendinopathy and covers both the basic science and clinical aspects of the subject. Despite its high incidence, the precise etiopathogenesis and effective treatment of tendinopathy remain elusive. Tendinopathy in Athletes draws on the expertise of an international and prolific collection of contributors, both clinicians and scientists, who provide new insights into this specialized area. This book: provides a comprehensive resource for both clinicians and researchers with information organized logically, with an easy-to-follow progression from the basic scientific findings to clinical applications discusses the full range of treatment modalities, including new molecular and biological approaches, plus surgical and alternative approaches to tendinopath contains “What We Need to Know” sections that suggest future areas of research for young investigators. As tendinopathy remains one of the most common injuries encountered, both in sports and at the workplace, this essential volume is sure to be a source of frequent consultation.