Richard S. Laskin – författare

In the 35 years since the first knee replacement surgery was attempted, there have been numerous changes in the way the prostheses are designed and the manner in which they are implanted. We are now in the fortunate position of being able to report that 95% of patients undergoing a knee replacement report extraordinary relief of pain and the ability to return to an active and productive life. However, the field is not static and there remain areas of controversy.This book examines many of the unresolved issues in total knee replacement surgery. Each controversial issue is addressed in the format of a debate, with authors from either side of the controversy putting their points of view and then responding to a series of questions, posed by the editor, who acts as the moderator of the discussion. In addition, there are two non-debate chapters, one covering the value of knee replacement to society and the patient, and the other on the precise methodology of collecting and expressing outcome data.All of the contributors are international experts in their fields and have lectured and written extensively. This book will ensure that the knowledge of today can help to further improve the surgical results of tommorrow.

Knee replacement can be regarded as the inevitable sequel to hip replacements, the child so to speak, of a brilliant father. As with other children, there were growing pains and a somewhat troubled adolescence, but the mature adult can now stand, proud and unashamed, alongside its distinguished forebear. Total replacement of the knee is now a highly successful operation which has enriched the lives of countless sufferers. Clearly the time is ripe for a definitive work on the subject. Richard Laskin, whose abiding interest and profound knowledge of knee replace­ ment are well known, has gathered together a team of notable experts who, between them, cover every aspect of the subject. The first section of this book deals with the history of knee replacement, its indications, alternative procedures, biomechanics and materials. Then follows a most important section by Laskin himself, on the surgical technique, the details of which, as he points out in his preface, are more important than differences between the various prostheses. The third section considers the results of several different prostheses and discusses some problem areas. This is a book which surgeons in the field of knee replacement have been waiting for; those with experience will find it of absorbing interest and those who have more recently embarked on the subject will find it an invaluable guide in their quest for perfection. Dr Laskin is to be congratulated on his choice of collaborators and for producing such a masterly compilation.