that is pushing the crooked tree trunk in the cover il- Children are »patients«, not »customers«, » lustration). This requires close cooperation with parents, they require »care«, not »management« « pediatricians, other therapists, orthopaedic technicians (G. A. Annas) and nursing personnel. The idea for this book originated from pediatricians who were frequently encountering patients with musculoskeletal problems and who, during a course in pediatric orthopaedics, expressed a wish for a book that would take into account the standpoint of the pediatrician, as well as those of the children and parents. It has since grown into a comprehensive volume. Not all readers will have so much to do with »crooked« children that they will want to read everything. But perhaps they might wish to refer to this book upon encountering a specific problem. There may also be those who are not directly involved in treatment, but who would probably like to know the various available options and the cor- sponding factors considered in their selection. For prac- cal purposes, this book also aims to stress the regional (rather than a systematic) subdivision of disorders. After all, a child does not come to the doctors office saying »Im suffering from a growth disorder« or »I have a congenital condition«. Rather he or she will say »my back hurts« or »I have a stabbing pain in my knee«.