As we stated in our message in the book of abstracts for this congress, we have planned the programme over a long period with one clear objective: to present musculoskeletal medicine as an integral part of orthodox medical practice, rather than as something alternative or complementary. To this end we have based the plenary programme as far as possible on accepted epidemiological, anatomical, physiological and pathological phenomena. Scientifically well-validated material must surely be the base upon which any viable musculoskeletal medicine practice may be built. While we have chosen the...

Begin at the beginning and go on until you come to the end; then stop. Lewis Carroll (1832 1898), Alice s Adventures in Wonderland This book does indeed begin at the beginning and lays a very ?rm foundation by not only clearly de?ning the subject, namely m- culoskeletal medicine, but also stating what the text discusses. Having prepared the ground in a business-like manner, the author approaches the subject in a precise and informative manner. This is all to the good, as there is a dearth of informed and informative works concerning this particular aspect of medical practice. Therefore, this...