Preface

Musculoskeletal medicine is typically underrepresented in the standard medical school curriculum: The prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions requiring assessment, diagnosis, and treatment is high, whereas the amount of curricular time devoted to them is low. The discrepancy is likely to widen, as there are a growing number of elderly patients requiring musculoskeletal care without a similar increase in the education about these conditions. Within the broad field of musculoskeletal medicine, where many topics do not get from teachers the attention they deserve, foot and ankle conditions are especially overlooked. The foot is subject to a variety of acute and chronic problems that can be a source of pain and dysfunction to patients. Therefore, it is important that medical students and doctors understand the basics of foot pathophysiology.

This book attempts to explain foot injuries and conditions to medical students and residents in a way that is both engaging and educational. It is the result of a collaboration of a group of committed and experienced orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. The chapters have been written to emphasize the key concepts of each condition. The diseases described are those that are most commonly encountered in medical practice. It is our hope that students use this book as a learning tool and also as a reference during their studies at medical school and residency, and throughout their medical careers, regardless of specialty.

Editor: Foot & Ankle Edition, Orthopaedia

Stephen J Pinney MD MEd FRCSC
Director of Continuous Improvement
Cleveland Clinic Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute