Musculoskeletal Disease, by Berstein.

I think you'll find it very easy reading, a good, simple review of anatomy (not the kind that would help you on pimp questions, but a good review nonetheless) and a good section on physical exam. Has all the basic orthopedic disease processes, fractures, etc.

Check it out, most university libraries should have it.

rotators need only 2 books:
1. The Netter's atlas of orthopaedic anatomy
2. The Handbook of Fxs (little blue) book
for bonus you can check out the Hoppenfeld's from the school library and read about the approach the night before the case.

I must second what this last dude(ette) has said. Netter's small ortho atlas is just excellent in every respect, and every ortho rotator has a usually well-worn copy. The fracture handbook is also a money purchase, as it outlines pretty much all you gots to know (and beyond) about all fx. Hoppenfeld's green physical exam book is a little old, but still outstanding, and his surgical approaches text is key when you're rotating somewhere and you and about to scrub to a case. It will detail the approach, and all dat. Happy orthoing...

The "little blue fracture book" will only help if you're doing trauma or on call. There's more to ortho than trauma. If you're doing a rotation on general ortho, joints, sports, hand, peds, spine, tumor, foot/ankle (you know, nontraumatic orthopaedics), it won't get you far.

Try Orthopaedic Surgery The Essentials by Mark Baratz...it's a big book (can't carry it around) but covers everything well, not just trauma.

Miller's Review, OKU 7, blue fracture book, pocket orthopaedica and Netter's Ortho.

these reccomended to me by residents at Rush and I have found them to be indispensable

just my 2cents...

J

Thanks everyone for the great advice,

I bought the Netter's Ortho book which was a fantastic reference,

The Hoppenfield text was also helpful prior to cases,

Thanks again for the advice, I am looking into the other books you all posted