A Manual of Orthopaedic Terminology, 4th ed.

A Manual of Orthopaedic Terminology, 4th ed The author's purpose in preparing this compendium of orthopedic and orthopedics-related terms was "to describe with brevity and clarity the language of orthopaedics and hopefully, contribute to the understanding of this specialty." They have succeeded Although the book is not encyclopedic in scope, it is the most comprehensive compilation that I have come in contract with.

The text consists of chapters on classification of fractures, dislocations, and sports-related injuries; musculoskeletal diseases and related terms; radiographs and scanning techniques; orthopedic tests, signs, and maneuvers; laboratory evaluations; casts, splints, dressings, and in-house traction; prosthetics and orthotics; anatomy and surgical intervention; the hand; the foot; physical medicine and rehabilitation; physical therapy and occupational therapy; and musculoskeletal research. The appendix includes a list of orthopedic abbreviations and anatomic positions and directions.

Individual chapters are devoted to terms related to the hand and the foot because the authors recognize these areas as sub-specialties of orthopedics. It could be argued, however, that now the same may be said of the knee and the spine.

The chapter devoted to physical therapy and occupational therapy is unfortunately woefully out of date and fails to include such current treatment staples as iontophoresis, joint mobilization, and myofascial release. Moreover, the bibliography lists an occupational therapy reference under the physical therapy heading.

Practicing physical therapists will find most useful the chapter on orthopedic tests, signs, and maneuvers and the chapter on classifications, dislocations, and sports-related injuries. This text should sit alongside medical dictionaries as a quick, accessible reference in any physical therapy clinic or department.