That a close relationship exists between the specialties of peripheral vascular diseases and of orthopedic and general surgery has frequently been brought sharply into focus for both of us during many years of clinical experience in our respective fields of endeavor. Frequently, trauma to musculoskeletal struc tures has also been responsible for the production of a seriously compromised local blood flow, thus requiring a combined therapeutic approach to the solution of the problem. Improper utilization of appliances and conventional surgical procedures for common orthopedic conditions has on...