This book is a practical, step-by-step guide to orthopedic examination and diagnosis. The author explains a systematic classification of clinical findings that has proven very useful in diagnosing orthopedic disorders in daily routine. The approach to examination begins with a checklist covering the complete patient history, including subjective descriptions of complaints. This is followed by a stepwise approach to physical examination of the patient and collection of clinical findings. Photographs and illustrations clearly depict the necessary examination techniques. The main symptoms are then determined from the patient history and clinical findings, leading to a diagnosis. An overview of all relevant orthopedic conditions for each region of the body facilitates differential diagnosis and thereby completes the examination findings. This book will be of particular value for new residents in orthopedics and trauma but will also be useful for the experienced physician as a means of refreshing knowledge or as a reference.

Andreas Roth is a Professor and Head of the Division for Total Joint Replacement and Orthopedics, Hospital and Policlinic for Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany. Dr. Roth completed his MD and doctoral thesis at Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena. He subsequently specialized in Orthopedics (1992) and in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery (2007) and completed his Habilitation in 2006. Dr. Roth's clinical focus is on arthroplasty of large joints (esp. severe deformities, revisions), tumor surgery, musculoskeletal osteology, and conservative orthopedics. His research interests include ingrowth of endoprostheses/bone grafts, wear and particle disease, minimally invasive implantation of endoprostheses, treatment of atraumatic necrosis of the femoral head and diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Dr. Roth is Head of the "Osteology" divisions of the German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery (DGOOC) and the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU), and a board member of both organizations. He is the lead or co-author of more than 50 peer-reviewed original articles as well as six previous books.