McMinn’s Color Atlas of Lower Limb Anatomy, 5th Edition

By Bari M. Logan

ISBN: 9780702072185

Pub Date: 8/31/2017

Reviewed by: Martin C. Yorath, DPM (Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science)

Description

This is a widely regarded focused atlas in the McMinn Anatomy series and the title now more accurately reflects the contents and direction of the book. Updated from the fourth edition (titled McMinn’s Color Atlas of Foot and Ankle Anatomy), which was published in 2012, this edition also includes a digital version, which I was unsuccessful in accessing despite several attempts.

Purpose

This book has always been aimed squarely at the podiatric profession, particularly in the U.K. With its new, more accurate title, it covers foot and ankle in a more comprehensive manner than ever before.

Audience

While aimed at the podiatric profession, this book will also appeal to others involved in treatment of the foot and ankle, including physical therapists, orthopedists, radiologists, and sports injury physicians. The book will appeal to both students and those in postgraduate training and should be portable  ectronically to be always available. Professor McMinn, whose legacy survives in this book, is a well known and respected anatomist and this latest addition adds the authorship of Dr. David Bowden, for the expanded chapter on imaging of the lower limb.

Features

The first three of the book’s four sections cover pelvis and hip; thigh, knee and leg; and foot, while the last contains an expanded section on imaging of the lower limb. This is considerably enhanced compared to the fourth edition and contains a well-presented array of imaging studies to illustrate different points, including plain film, MR, and arthrography and arthrograms. Many sectional studies are used. There is an appendix, as with the fourth edition, covering anatomy of the skin, muscle origin, insertion, and nerve supply in the lower extremity, vascular and lymphatic drainage, and nerve distribution. The section on local anesthesia remains well illustrated, and covers popliteal, field, and digital blocks.

Assessment

There is no shortage of anatomy books, even competing ones from the McMinn Anatomy series! However, the focused approach of this one lends itself well to use by those focused on diseases of the foot and ankle. Its cross-sectional approach will be particularly useful for those who are involved in surgical management. This new edition more fully reflects the integrated nature of the approach to foot and ankle disorders today. The book has stood the test of time (over 30 years now), and can be recommended to both students and practitioners of foot and ankle medicine.

Doody’s Review Service Weighted Numerical Score: 95 – 4 Stars!