In the eight years since the first edition of this book several marvelous technical advances have become available clinically for the care of patients with "failed back syndromes. " High resolution MRI scans, three dimension al CT scans, and percutaneous discectomy are notable technological ad vances. Overall, however, the problem of "the failed back" remains as complex and poorly understood as ever. A discouraging amount of what we claim to be our knowledge of the pathophysiology and appropriate therapy for the complex of disorders that constitute the failed back syndrome re mains unvalidated by careful scientific study. 1 The discussions of patho physiology, diagnosis, and therapy put forth in the first edition for the most part remain equally as valid or as controversial as they were eight years ago. The first edition was well received by numerous physicians and other health care givers from a variety of disciplines and through them the book seems to have contributed usefully to many of those who suffer the unpleasant mal adies of "the failed back. " I hope this second edition will likewise prove to be a positive contribution. The timing of the publication of this second edition is significant in several ways in the context of the current medicolegal climate in the United States."

In the eight years since the first edition of this book several marvelous technical advances have become available clinically for the care of patients with "failed back syndromes. " High resolution MRI scans, three dimension al CT scans, and percutaneous discectomy are notable technological ad vances. Overall, however, the problem of "the failed back" remains as complex and poorly understood as ever. A discouraging amount of what we claim to be our knowledge of the pathophysiology and appropriate therapy for the complex of disorders that constitute the failed back syndrome re mains unvalidated by careful scientific study. 1 The discussions of patho physiology, diagnosis, and therapy put forth in the first edition for the most part remain equally as valid or as controversial as they were eight years ago. The first edition was well received by numerous physicians and other health care givers from a variety of disciplines and through them the book seems to have contributed usefully to many of those who suffer the unpleasant mal adies of "the failed back. " I hope this second edition will likewise prove to be a positive contribution. The timing of the publication of this second edition is significant in several ways in the context of the current medicolegal climate in the United States."

This is a collection of jokes compiled from those sent to the author over the internet, many of the jokes having been sent from multiple sources. They are arranged in categories: Battle of the Sexes, Marriage, Kids, Old Age, Work Place & Professions, Blondes, Ethnic, Animals, Religion and Grab Bag. Some of the jokes could be deemed "adult material," especially regarding marriage and human sexuality, but all overtly pornographic or grossly sexual material has been omitted. More socially acceptable terms have been substituted for flagrant expletives. All material of a vicious or deliberately hurtful nature and all overtly partisan political material has been expunged. What is left is simply good fun