Clinical Assessment Procedures in Physical Therapy.

Clinical Assessment Procedures in Physical Theraphy The purpose of this book is to help teach entry-level physical therapy students how to evaluate persons with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders. The authors discuss screening tests, goniometry, functional tests, manual muscle testing, some reflex tests, and evaluation of synovial joints. The first two chapters cover principles and techniques of testing and screening procedures. Chapter 3 covers posture evaluation, including common postural problems in evaluation and their possible causes. The remaining chapters deal with specific body regions, and, with the exception of chapter 8 on the face and the temporomandibular joint, all follow the same format, discussing goniometry, functional muscle testing, manual muscle testing, clinical tests, and joint play.

Many photographs and illustrations are included to help clarify evaluations, placement of the goniometer, and palpation and resistance by the examiner. Stabilization is depicted in photographs of joint play, manual muscle testing, and clinical tests.

In chapter 11, midtarsal-subtalar joint inversion is referred to as pronation, and midtarsal-subtalar joint eversion is referred to as supination. Some of the photographs of goniometry need more contrast. Stabilization, although called for, is not illustrated in goniometry.

A bibliography appears at the end of chapters 2 through 11, references appear at the end of the first two chapters, and an index is provided. Appendix A contains forms for recording evaluation and test results; appendix B has multiple-choice questions with answerS. This book should be considered a textbook for entry-level physical therapy students. Instructors engaged in team teaching may find it particularly helpful. The clinical tests could be especially useful to physical therapy practitioners.