Instead of dealing with them as two branches separately, an amalgamation of these two principles equips with sound and wholesome knowledge of successful treatment methodology for orthopaedic disorders. I, as a medical student and later as an orthopaedic postgraduate student was seldom taught the principles of physiotherapy, only a brief mention of the physiotherapy treatment methods was made in the standard orthopaedic textbooks. When I explored further I realised to my dismay that even the physiotherapy textbooks similarly made a brief mention of orthopaedics. So the final result was that an orthopaedic surgeon on completion and starting his practice, knows very little about physiotherapy and physiotherapist starts his learning and later practices without knowing the basics orthopaedics. The sufferer is the hapless patient.

When my dear friend Mr Jitendar P Vij, suggested to write a book on essentials of orthopaedics for the physiotherapists, I decided to set this imbalance right. I made up my mind to write the book in such a way that a physiotherapy student finds enough of orthopaedic knowledge so essential to lay the foundation of a good physiotherapist. Reciprocally an orthopaedic surgeon will get to know the basics of physiotherapy that is very essential to make him a complete orthopaedic surgeon. This book tries to inculcate orthopaedic knowledge into a physiotherapist and physiotherapy knowledge into an orthopaedist. This book is thus a cocktail of sorts and that like a good cocktail will deliver the necessary punch. I am sure my effort will benefit both the sections of the students.

My Textbook of Orthopaedics is huge hit both among teachers and students. It has been well accepted across the length and breadth of this country. The encomiums and platitudes received about the distinctive style of writing overwhelmed me and it had gained a universal appeal and acceptance. I have made an effort to go one up on my previous effort on this book. Hope it whips up the same interest and passion among the students and teachers alike. I will be happy if my effort of evolving a physiotherapist within orthopaedic surgeon and an orthopaedist within a physiotherapist bears fruit. According to me the essence of a good book is that which kindles the dormant interest about a subject in a student and initiates in him an insatiable thirst to know about the subject more and more. Only time will tell whether I will be successful in this regard.

Most of the medical books due to excessive focus on the subject matter fail to evince the all important interest about the subject in a student. I have made an attempt to hit two birds with a single stone by trying to give enough of subject matter and keep the interest factor alive too. To achieve this I have trodden the following path:

I hope the students and teachers will like the work. I am open for criticism and corrections. If there are any mistakes, lacunae or any other problems please feel free to write to me. Constructive criticism and suggestions will be given due regard and will be implemented in the next edition of the book.

I thank my wife Dr Parimala for the active help extended to me emotionally and physically in making this dream a reality. I also thank my son Rakesh and Priyanka who have been supportive to all my works. I also thank all the staff members of Parimala hospital who helped in compiling the data, manuscripts, typing, etc.

My sincere thanks to Mr Jitendar P Vij who was instrumental in bringing out this book. He constantly encouraged me to give my best. No amount of thanks is enough to acknowledge the role played by Mr RK Yadav and his dedicated and efficient team for giving shape to this book. The entire credit of making this book presentable goes to them.

Finally I thank God for bestowing me with knowledge and life that has enabled me to begin and complete this project successfully. I thank everyone who is involved with this work directly or indirectly. Looking at the list of people who have contributed in making this gargantuan task a reality, I feel humble.1011