Hand Pearls.

Concannon MJ, Hurov J. Philadelphia, PA 19107, Hanley & Belfus Inc, 2001, paperback, 259 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-56053-463-X, $45.

This book is a collection of 65 case studies on the diagnosis and treatment of hand problems. It is written by a hand surgeon and a physical therapist, which effectively demonstrates the importance of an integrated approach to the treatment of patients with hand problems. This work is an excellent, up-to-date, and concise resource for the physician and therapist alike.

The format is unique, yet easy to read. Each case begins with a brief history of the patient's current problem or condition, along with relevant laboratory test results and physical examination findings. One or more questions related to the diagnosis, involved structures, and the recommended treatment are posed to the reader. A discussion follows, which describes the diagnosis and preferred medical or surgical intervention. Therapeutic management is described where appropriate, including evaluation, therapeutic exercises and modalities, patient education, and splinting methods. The text contains excellent illustrations to highlight relevant radiological and imaging findings, clinical observations, clinical examination methods, splints, and therapeutic methods. Each case study includes current references.

This work covers a comprehensive list of hand problems, including fractures, congenital deformities, burns, infections, bite injuries, arthritis, soft tissue injuries (traumatic and atraumatic), amputations, replantations, and quadriplegia.

This is an excellent resource and method of independent study or review for therapists pursuing certification in hand therapy. It may also serve as a great clinical resource for any therapist who treats hand problems, because it provides a concise description of the medical and therapeutic management of a wide variety of diagnoses, applied in the context of clinical case studies.

Janet Palmatier, PT, CHT
Work Injury Care Center Inc
Milwaukee, Wis

Ms Palmatier is Staff Therapist at an occupational medicine clinic. Her clinical interests are in ergonomics and the management of hand and upper-extremity problems.