Clinical Sports Medicine, 2d ed.

Clinical Sports Medicine, ed 2 Brukner P, Khan K, eds. Roseville, NSW 2069 Australia, McGraw-Hill Book Co Australia Pty Ltd, 2001, hardcover, 947 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-07-470651-9, $69.95.

This book is an excellent reference for clinicians in many disciplines--including physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers--who work with athletes, sports-related injuries, or musculoskeletal injuries. Many expert authors are used, and references for further information are offered at the end of each chapter. Information is easily accessible because of the book's format, and it incorporates the approaches from various health care disciplines in the identification and management of the athlete's symptoms.

The book is divided into 6 sections that offer a comprehensive approach to sports medicine. The first section, "Fundamental Principles," takes the reader from sports injuries to conditions that masquerade as sports injuries, the biomechanics of common sports injuries, injury prevention, diagnosis, and principles of treatment, which includes rehabilitation. The inclusion of biomechanics of common sports such as throwing, swimming, tennis, and cycling creates links to injury pathology.

Chapters in the second section, "Regional Problems," cover problems in a specific region of the body from head injuries and headache to foot pain. It works from the perspective of clinical presentation, including differential diagnosis, physical examination, and treatment of more common problems. This section is complete in its presentation of all soft tissue injury/joint complexes of the body. Each chapter takes the reader through a complete examination, and it also includes a table that lists the common and less common causes of pain associated with the problem, with an additional column labeled "not to be missed." This chapter uses many illustrations that enhance the clinical perspective. Rehabilitation protocols of the more common injuries are presented in easy-to-read tables in the chapters dealing with lower-extremity pathologies, but the same tables on the treatment of upper-extremity pathologies are a little less organized. The chapter on low back pain includes a trunk stabilization program. Many chapters illustrate mobilization, soft tissue, and stretching techniques.

The third section, "Enhancing Sport Performance," covers nutrition and psychology. Hydration, "bulking up," vitamins, and the precompetition meal are all well presented. The content on psychology focuses on relaxation techniques and sport preparation but does not address the postinjury aspect of psychology. The fourth section, "Special Groups of Participants," covers young and elderly athletes, athletes with disabilities, and female athletes. The chapter on younger athletes asks the question "How much is too much?" and gives the author's training recommendations for young athletes who participate in various sports, which adds to the uniqueness of this book.

The fifth section, "Management of Medical Problems," addresses emergencies, cardiorespiratory problems, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, epilepsy, infections, joint symptoms without injury, the tired athlete, exercise prescriptions for health, and exercise in the heat and cold. The sixth section, "Practical Sports Medicine," addresses issues that are not often covered in other texts, including medical care of the team, traveling with a team, screening, and, especially, the chapter on drugs. The International Olympic Committee's updated list of prohibited substances is presented in tables.

The book is extensive, well organized, and well illustrated. The use of expert authors and a reference list at the end of each chapter marks this book as a working reference. The book presents a good foundation, and the many tables and illustrations exemplify expansion into treatment. Because the book covers all systems and is addressed to any health care professional who treats athletes, it is a good resource for the differential diagnosis and rehabilitation of the more common sport injuries.

Rose L Smith, PT, SCS, ATC
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio

Ms Smith is Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program and an adjunct instructor in the Athletic Training Program. She performs clinical responsibilities with the student athlete population for Spectrum Rehabilitation.