Atlas of Approaches to the Canine Bones & Joints - Piermattei

The goal of the fourth edition of this atlas remains unchanged from that of the first edition, published in 1966: “It is our hope that this book will fill a void in the student’s and practitioner’s bookshelves and allow them to have available in one place directions for approaches to all bones.” This edition represents a continuation of that effort.

A new associate, Dr. Kenneth Johnson, has been added for this edition, and most of the new additions and improvements can be attributed to him. I am very grateful for his input and know that he will carry on in his usual expert manner as the primary author in future editions. While recognizing the new, I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of my original collaborator and artist for the first edition, Dr. R. Gordon Greeley. This book would have never seen the light of day but for his help. Thanks are also due to long-time veterinary editor at WB Saunders, Ray Kersey. Recently retired, Ray will be sorely missed by me and many others who have benefited from the books he sought out and shepherded to publication. Finally, I acknowledge the support and encouragement of my wife, Marcia. Donald L. Piermattei, DVM, PhD Loveland, Colorado


Since the previous edition of this book was published 10 years ago, major advances have occurred in orthopaedic surgery on a number of fronts. For example, in the management of non reconstructable shaft fractures, there is growing emphasis on the need for indirect reduction techniques, preservation of soft tissue attachments and vascularity of bone fragments, and fracture stabilization with implants that are designed to have less impact on bone blood supply. Furthermore, emergence of completely new fixation systems, such as interlocking nailing that can be applied using minimally invasive surgical techniques, have replaced bone plating of some shaft fractures. However, to successfully utilize these new techniques, the surgeon must have an even greater knowledge of surgical anatomy and the options for intramuscular approaches to bones and joints. 

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The format of presentation of each approach has been changed throughout, and where alternative approaches to a region exist, we have made some recommendations based on our experience. In addition, recommendations for enlargement of each surgical approach by extension proximally or distally to allow greater exposure to a region have been added where appropriate. Several new approaches have been added to this edition, including the exposure of the proximal tibia for tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs with cruciate ligament disease. All of the approaches are based on the left side of the body, in order to follow closely our anatomic reference, Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog, third edition.* The right side was used for approaches to the lower limbs in deference to the preponderance of lower limb injuries to the racing greyhound.