This is a very comprehensive book that provides the musician's
perspective on hand and arm pain resulting from misuse and overuse.
It offers careful guidelines for surgical intervention, clear descriptions
of operative techniques, and detailed discussions of such conditions
as Dupuytren contracture, nerve compression, dystonia, and trauma. The
book contains 250 black-and-white photographs as well as drawings.
The book also includes sections on nonsurgical subjects such
as the musician's temperament and performance psychology. Beta-blockers
and instrument playing are discussed, and congenital hand deformity
is well covered.
The main drawback of the book is a reflection of its goals. It
is a superb primer and, as such, has a brevity that is both appealing
and detrimental.
The bibliographies are minimal, even for such voluminous subjects
as Dupuytren contracture.
This book belongs in every hand surgeon's library. The text is
clearly written, well organized, and straightforward. Although intended
primarily for professionals such as music teachers and musicians
as well as therapists, it also is an important guide for physicians.
I recommend it to hand fellows and attending senior hand surgeons.
Harold M. Dick, M.D.
College of Physicians and Surgery, Columbia University, New
York, N.Y.