Assessment of Nonorthopedic Sports Injuries: A Sideline Reference Manual.

Assessment of Nonorthopedic Sports Injuries: A Sideline Reference Manual

Lewandowski J. Thorofare, NJ 08086, Slack Inc, 2000, spiralbound, 176 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-55642-444-2, $24.

This book is exactly what it is designed to be: a user-friendly, quick-reference guide to help the clinician evaluate and treat nonorthopedic injuries. It is small enough to fit inside a first-aid kit or jacket pocket; it is well organized and fairly thorough, although the user should keep in mind that the book is not meant to be a primary textbook.

This book contains 11 chapters covering topics such as the general evaluation of an injured athlete, head and neck injuries, syncope, thoracic and abdominal injuries, and thermal injuries. Each chapter follows the same format: It begins with a 1- or 2-page introduction, followed by a comprehensive algorithm, tables that highlight the algorithm, tables that briefly describe specific pathological processes, references, and a bibliography. Medical terminology is defined throughout the text, and some chapters also include a brief anatomy review.

The design of this book revolves around the algorithms, which follow a specific pattern. The author states that the algorithms are organized to first rule out any potentially catastrophic injuries (eg, cervical spine injury) and then guide the clinician through an evaluation of specific injuries. The flow of the algorithms is such that they differentiate between the signs and symptoms that indicate serious conditions and those that indicate relatively benign conditions. Throughout the text, the author cautions readers to refer the injured athlete for further medical evaluation when the signs and symptoms dictate or when they are in doubt of their evaluation. Tabs in the book allow the user to quickly locate a specific evaluation algorithm.

Unfortunately, the algorithms are difficult to read because of the miniature print and the placement of a lot of text in a small space. Perhaps the use of a fold-out page, which would permit the use of larger print, would enhance the readability of the algorithms.

The numerous tables are the strength of the book and somewhat compensate for the difficult-to-read algorithms. Concise and thorough "memory joggers," these tables provide enough information to perform the specific examination techniques and evaluations a clinician knows but may not be intimately familiar with.

This book is a useful tool for the clinician, especially when performing a secondary evaluation. Clinicians and sports medicine students will find this a particularly helpful text to have on hand during athletic competitions. I strongly agree, however, with the author's recommendations that the user review this book before using it on the sideline and that this book is not intended for use by a layperson or coach. I found this book to be a convenient, easy-to-use, quick reference in both clinical and athletic competition settings.

Gerry Van Dyke, PT, ATC, SCS California Orthopedic and Sports Therapy Rehabilitation Services Aptos, Calif

Mr Van Dyke is the owner of California Orthopedic and Sports Therapy (COAST) Rehabilitation Services Inc, which provides physical therapy and athletic training services to professional, collegiate, and high school athletes.