Pediatric Orthopedics in Practice

that is pushing the crooked tree trunk in the cover il- Children are »patients&«, not »customers&«, » lustration). This requires close cooperation with parents, they require »care&«, not »management&« &« pediatricians, other therapists, orthopaedic technicians (G. A. Annas) and nursing personnel. The idea for this book originated from pediatricians who were frequently encountering patients with musculoskeletal problems and who, during a course in pediatric orthopaedics, expressed a wish for a book that would take into account the standpoint of the pediatrician, as well as those of the children and parents. It has since grown into a comprehensive volume. Not all readers will have so much to do with »crooked&« children that they will want to read everything. But perhaps they might wish to refer to this book upon encountering a specific problem. There may also be those who are not directly involved in treatment, but who would probably like to know the various available options and the cor- sponding factors considered in their selection. For prac- cal purposes, this book also aims to stress the regional (rather than a systematic) subdivision of disorders. After all, a child does not come to the doctor's office saying »I'm suffering from a growth disorder&« or »I have a congenital condition&«. Rather he or she will say »my back hurts&« or »I have a stabbing pain in my knee&«.