This interesting book is built around a specific type of operative procedure which is one of the most interesting of all bone and joint surgery—the solidification or fusion of joints by artificial means—surgery. The author makes a definite departure from the ordinary treatment of similar material. He approaches the subject as it might be discussed by an engineer, a carpenter, a cabinet maker or a builder of bridges. He employs the general principles of biomechanics, dynamics and engineering. The book reflects the mechanical point of view applied to a biologic subject.
The author has evidently not been satisfied to continue with routine stereotyped operative procedures for arthrodesis but has used his brain to devise new procedures. He discusses the indications for arthrodesis, the causes of failure and the technical principles involved. The indications for arthrodesis are tuberculosis, infectious and rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis with degeneration as the result of trauma, infantile,