Book excerpt: Essential Orthopedics: Principles & Practice is an extensive, illustrated guide to the field of orthopaedics. Principles and practice for shoulder, hip, spine, hand, foot and ankle are covered, including anatomy, physiology, pathology and diseases. Essential Orthopedics: Principles & Practice includes all modern research methodologies, such as biostatistics, advanced imaging and gene therapy. Enhanced by 2000 full colour illustrations this is a comprehensive resource for all interns, residents and orthopaedic surgeons.