Paediatric Orthopaedics – A system of Decision Making 2nd Edition

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Decision-making is difficult for most people even at the best of times, particularly so when the consequences of an inappropriate decision are far-reaching. An error in judgement for an orthopaedic problem in a child could lead to disability for life. The decision-making process becomes even more complicated when the literature is replete with reports of several different ways to treat each of the conditions encountered in clinical practice. Orthopaedic books frequently list several operations for a particular problem. How does one make the correct choices? Which procedure should one choose for a particular patient? What governs the surgeon’s choice of a particular treatment option? The questions cross the mind of every surgeon.

Clinical decision-making is most difficult for those who are in training and for the junior consultant in the field. With increasing demands for evidence-based­ medicine, there is a need to formulate decision-making pathways based not on whimsical preferences but on the evidence available. This book is intended to provide a­ concise account of the information needed to formulatedecisions in paediatric orthopaedics – it is specifically targeted at the two groups above, although others may also find it helpful.

Whilst we acknowledge that each suggested outline of management is not the only solution for the clinical problem, the rationale for adopting one treatment schedule in lieu of others will be stated. It is hoped that this book would serve as a starting point for the young orthopaedic surgeon to evolve a rational approach in his or her own practice of paediatric orthopaedics.