Handbook of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Third Edition

Title: Handbook of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Third Edition

Author: Paul D. Sponseller

Publication Information: New York, Thieme, 2019, 269 pp., $69.99, paperback

An invaluable reference tool for family physicians demonstrates its worth by being comprehensive and convenient to the clinician. The Handbook of Pediatric Orthopaedics by Paul Sponseller, MD, MBA, meets this measure in spades. The Handbook, now in its third edition in a paperback format fits into the pockets of most white coats.

However, acknowledging that this trend has largely ceased with the rise of technology, the publisher provides access to a well constructed online version, optimized for both desktop and mobile devices.

The book is full of details helpful to assessing and developing plans for the treatment of common pediatric musculoskeletal issues. There are an abundance of charts, graphs, and figures to help explain topics visually. While the subject material does occasionally venture into areas that seem more specialized than both the level of a family physician’s general fund of knowledge and what would be needed to guide referrals, it is this level of detail that makes the book a particularly good reference source—it’s there if you need it! The sections on trauma are particularly helpful for those who work in an urgent care setting, including algorithms to assist in clinical decision-making processes.