The rapid development in the surgical treatment of fractures during the past 9 years has necessitated considerable modifications to the first edition of this book. Numerous new implants and instruments are presented in this, the second edition. In 4.0-, 3.5- and 2.7-mm screws the hexagonal socket has definitively superseded the Phillips head, while mini-implants have been modified and a 1.5-mm screw introduced. A number of new plates and implants have been introduced and have long since proved their value. At the same time new techniques, described here, have been developed and applied. The tension-band wire is included, despite the fact that it does not consist of specific AO implants, and use of the Kirschner wire is also illustrated and emphasized whenever the authors consider that this simple method is still the best available. Alterations in the organization of the book have been necessary: the shoulder, the forearm and the knee are treated in separate chapters, and other sections have been extended. With regard to clinical-radiological examples, new typical situations are described and documented. The case studies from the first edition have been recontrolled in all instances in which it was feasible to do so. In this way many valuable late results, 9-12 years after internal fixation, were obtained. We found that almost all joints had remained stable after healing of an articular fracture; so-called late arthrosis is rare in the peripheral skeleton.

and Objectives.- I. Introduction and Objectives.- General Section.- II. Implants and Instruments of the SFS.- 1. The SFS Screws.- 2. The SFS Plates.- 3. SFS Instruments.- 4. Instrument Cases.- III. General Techniques of Internal Fixation Using the SFS.- 1. Fundamental Principles.- 2. Interfragmentary Compression with Lag Screws.- 3. Axial, Interfragmentary Compression with a Plate.- 4. Neutralization or Protection Plate.- 5. Buttres Plates.- 6. Combined Internal Fixation with Small and Large Implants.- 7. Multiple Fractures.- 8. The Tension-Band Wire.- 9. Open Fractures.- IV. Pre-operative, Operative and Postoperative Guidelines.- V. Removal of Implants.- VI. Autogenous Bone Graft Combined with the Use of the SFS.- VII. Use of the SFS for Reconstructive Operations.- 1. Bone Pegging Combined with a Plate.- 2. Graft Interposition Combined with a Plate.- 3. Compressed Bridging Graft Combined with a Plate.- 4. Excision of Joint and Subsequent Arthrodesis Using a Tension-Band Plate.- 5. Excision of a Joint Followed by Screw Fixation from Proximal Distally.- 6. Excision ofaJoint Followed by Screw Fixation from Distal Proximally.- Special Section.- VIII. Introduction and Overview.- IX. The Shoulder Girdle.- 1. Clavicle.- 2. Scapula.- 3. Head of the Humerus.- 4. Clinical X-ray Examples.- X. The Elbow.- 1. Distal Humerus.- 2. Radial Head.- 3. Olecranon.- 4. Clinical X-ray Examples.- XI The Shafts of the Forearm Bones.- 1. Internal Fixation.- 2. Clinical X-ray Examples.- XII The Wrist Joint.- 1. Distal Radius.- 2. Distal Ulna.- 3. Scaphoid.- 4. Other Parts of the Carpus.- 5. Fusion of the Wrist Joint.- 6. Clinical X-ray Examples.- XIII. The Hand.- A. Introduction.- B. Injuries and Internal Fixation of the First Ray.- 1. Fracture of the Base of the First Metacarpal.- 2. Distal Fractures.- 3. Secondary Operations on the First Ray.- 4. Clinical X-ray Examples.- C. Injuries and Internal Fixation of the Second to Fifth Rays.- 1. Approaches.- 2. Fractures of the Second to Fifth Metacarpals.- 3. Articular Fractures.- 4. Fractures of the Shafts of the Phalanges.- 5. Secondary Operations on the Second to Fifth Rays.- 6. Clinical X-ray Examples.- XIV. The Knee Joint.- 1. Patella.- 2. Tibia.- 3. Repair of Ligaments.- 4. Avulsion Fractures of the Head of the Fibula.- 5. Shearing of Osteocartilaginous Fragments.- 6. Secondary and Orthopaedic Operations.- 7. Clinical X-ray Examples.- XV. The Shaft of the Tibia.- XVI. The Ankle Joint.- A. Distal Articular Fractures of the Tibia.- 1. Multifragmentary Fractures.- 2. Depressed Comminuted Fractures.- 3. Transitional Fractures.- 4. Secondary Operations.- 5. Clinical X-ray Examples.- B. Malleolar Fractures.- 1. Classification and Indication.- 2. Lateral Internal Fixation and Suture of the Ligaments.- 3. Fixation of the Medial Malleolus.- 4. Secondary Operations.- 5. Clinical X-ray Examples.- C. Fractures of the Talus.- 1. Internal Fixation.- 2. Clinical X-ray Examples.- XVII. The Foot.- 1. Calcaneum.- 2. Tarsal Scaphoid.- 3. Cuboid.- 4. Metatarsus and Toes.- 5. Secondary Operations on the Forefoot.- 6. Clinical X-ray Examples.- XVIII. Special Indications.- 1. Internal Fixation in Children.- 2. The Use of the SFS in Surgery of Rheumatoid Disease.- 3. Clinical X-ray Examples.- References.