In-patient Physiotherapy: Management of Orthopaedic Surgery. (Reviews of books, computer software, and videotapes are written by invitation).

In-patient Physiotherapy: Management of Orthopaedic Surgery Chipchase LS, Brumby SA. Woburn, MA 01801-2041, Butterworth-Heineman Inc, 2001, paperback, 173 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-7506-4459-1, $29.95.

The purpose of this text is to assist undergraduate physical therapists preparing for an inpatient orthopedic clinical rotation. It is also intended for recent graduates who have minimal experience in inpatient orthopedics or for therapists returning to the field after an extended absence. Although the text is brief and to the point, some areas are very different because the authors are from Australia. Some spelling and terminology is very different from that in the United States.

The book is divided into 9 chapters, starting with the principles of orthopedic surgery. This chapter briefly reviews the science of bone and soft tissue and progresses to different types of fractures and basic acute management of patients with orthopedic conditions. Chapter 2 covers basic inpatient tests (eg, vital signs, blood tests), equipment (catheters, IVs), and medications. However, I found that most of the medications listed were not used in the facility I work in.

Chapter 3 specifically addresses the physical therapist's examination and management of patients with orthopedic conditions. A review of basic documentation is included as well, but most of the medical abbreviations were very different than those traditionally used in the United States. This chapter provides important information regarding cardiorespiratory complications and the role physical therapy plays in preventing cardiorespiratory problems or assisting patients with pre-existing cardiorespiratory problems. This chapter provides a good reminder about a subject that is sometimes overlooked.

Chapter 4 addresses gait and mobility education, an area where the authors use terminology that is very different from the terms used in the United States. For example, a walker is referred to as a frame, and a cane is called a walking stick. The information on measuring patients for these devices and on gait training was all very accurate, and the chapter used good pictures.

Chapter 5 provides very basic information on transfer and lifting techniques. I have never seen some of the techniques described for transferring or moving patients up in bed, and I'm not sure that I would try them because I am concerned that therapists would be unable to maintain proper body mechanics.

Chapters 6 through 9 each cover orthopedic surgery for a specific body region (hip, knee, shoulder, and foot and ankle). Each chapter includes a brief overview of the surgery, possible complications, and postoperative care by the physical therapist, including specific exercises.

Overall, this text is a brief, concise review of the management of inpatient orthopedic conditions. All references are current, and the authors do document differences in lengths of stay or treatment between Australia and the United States. The differences in spelling and terminology were a bit distracting, but easily understood.

This text would be ideal for any physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who is changing the main focus of his or her practice to inpatient orthopedics or for any physical therapist or physical therapist assistant returning to practice after an extended absence. It is short and to the point, and it covers all major subject areas that the clinician will need to get started on inpatient care.

Karen Holtgrefe, PT, OCS, MHS
Oxford, Ohio

Ms Holtgrefe is Regional Coordinator of Rehabilitation Education for Mercy Health Partners-Southwest Ohio. She is responsible for competency and education development for all rehabilitation staff. Her clinical expertise is in orthopedics with particular interest in arthritis, fibromyalgia, and the spine.