Editors: Hans-Wilhelm Mueller Wohlfahrt, MD; Peter Ueblacker, MD; Lutz Haensel, MD; and William E. Garrett, Jr., MD, PhD
Publisher: Thieme – 417 pages (505 images)
Book Review by: Nano Khilnani

Engaging in physical activity – including group versions of it such as sports – is a good way to promote and maintain good health, including prevention of diseases of the heart, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

Studies show that ample exercise and good nutrition are essentials in gaining and keeping good health. And engaging in sports safely is essential to avoiding injury, surgery and rehabilitation. But when accidents in sports occur, what to do? This book provides the answers.

It provides a lot of answers and relevant details, as a matter of fact. What does this book cover? Below is a list of subjects it provides intensive information on, plus valuable insight from doctors who have gained experience and knowledge:

  1. Functional Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle
  2. Basic Physiology and Aspects of Exercise
  3. Molecular and Cell Biology of Muscle Regeneration
  4. Muscle Healing: Physiology and Adverse Factors
  5. Epidemiology of Muscle Injuries in Soccer
  6. Terminology, Classification, Patient History, and Clinical Examination
  7. Ultrasonography
  8. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  9. Differential Diagnosis of Muscle Pain
  10. Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychology in Sports
  11. Conservative Treatment of Muscle Pain
  12. Role of the Spine in Muscle Injuries and Muscle Disorders
  13. Operative Treatment of Muscle Injuries
  14. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
  15. Prevention of Muscle Injuries
  16. Special Case Reports from High-Performance Athletes

At the beginning of each chapter you will find a highlighted section with a list of topics covered in that chapter. A discussion of each topic follows, sometimes including a yellow highlighted Note providing guidance. A section among the topic discussions called Nomenclature is also sometimes provided, which mentions terms used that are relevant to a given topic. You will also encounter another blue highlighted section called Practical Tip

Sketches of muscles and muscle groups, tables, charts, figures, and other varied visuals also abound in each chapter, serving to separate text blocks and provide smaller chunks of information, make learning easier. As in eating, small portions of food make for easier chewing and swallowing. The chapters end with a list of References for further exploration of other subjects, then followed by a Further Reading section which contains the authors’ recommended reading material relating to the title of the chapter.

Soccer is one of the most popular team sports in the world, with an estimated 300 million players, the editors point out. They also write that one-third of all soccer injuries involve the muscles. And thigh muscle injuries are the most prevalent in physical games also, such as American football, basketball, and recreational sports.

This book was written to fill the need for comprehensive coverage of muscle injuries in sports activities, including anatomy and physiology of skeletal muscles. This was lacking before. It fulfills that requirement, and it provides clinical diagnosis, imaging, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of muscle injuries. We give thanks to the editors and writers below for filling the void.

Editors:
Hans-Wilhelm Mueller Wohlfahrt, MD is affiliated with MW Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and is team physician for the German national soccer team and FC Bayern Munich. He is a world-known expert in sports medicine.

Peter Ueblacker, MD is affiliated with MW Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and is team physician for the German national soccer team and FC Bayern Munich.

Lutz Haensel, MD is affiliated with MW Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and is team physician for the German national soccer team and FC Bayern Munich.

William E. Garrett, Jr., MD, PhD  is professor of surgery and team physician for Duke University, Duke Sports Medicine Center in Durham, North Carolina. He is past president of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.

Contributors:
Andreas Betthauser, MD
Alfred Binder
Wilhelm Bloch, MD
Dieter Blottner, PhD
Johannes Bock, MD, MSc
Bernhard Brenner, MD
Klaus Eder
Jan Ekstrand, MD
Martin Flueck, MD
William E. Garrett Jr., MD, PhD
Lutz Hansel, MD
Helmut Hoffmann
J. Michael Hufnagi, MD
Gerhard Luttke, MD
Norbert Massen, MD
Hans-Wilhelm Mueller Wohlfahrt, MD
Peter Mundinger, MD
Andreas Schlumberger, PhD
Benedit Schoser, MD
Peter Ueblacker, MD