Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 3d ed.

Orthopedic Physical Assessment, ed 3

Magee DJ. Philadelphia, PA 19106, WB Sounders Co, 1997, 805 pp, hardcover, illus, $51.95.

To keep clinicians updated on the ever-expanding area of musculoskeletal disorders, David Magee has written the third edition, of the classic textbook, Orthopedic Physical Assessment. The intent of the text is to "provide the reader with a systematic approach to perform[ing] a neuromusculoskeletal assessment and to understand[ing] the reason for the various aspects of the assessment."

The third edition contains 17 chapters. The first chapter is entitled "Principles and Concepts" and includes detailed information on the components and organization of the "subjective" and "objective" examination. The next 12 chapters cover regions of the body in a consistent format. These chapters cover the following regions: head and face; temporomandibular joint; shoulder; elbow; forearm, wrist, and hand; cervical spine; thoracic spine; lumbar spine; pelvis; hip; knee; and lower leg, ankle, and foot. Each chapter covers history, observation, and examination, which includes active, passive, and resisted isometric moments; functional assessment; special tests; reflexes and cutaneous distribution; joint play movements; palpation; and diagnostic imagery. Each regional chapter concludes with a precis of the assessment and several case studies. The remaining chapters cover gait, posture, and emergency sports assessment, and there is 1 new chapter on preparticipation evaluation.

The text contains many new photographs and line drawings that clarify concepts and methods of assessment. Magee also includes several varieties of test positions that accommodate different sizes of examiners. In addition, the most common special tests are highlighted for quick reference. The references are abundant and include in-text citations and references to general information.

In its third edition, Orthopedic Physical Assessment continues to be a valuable teaching tool and a definite must for the orthopedic curriculum for physical therapist students.

Janice K Loudon, PhD, PT SCS, ATC University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City, Kan

Dr Loudon is Assistant Professor in the physical therapy program. She has more than 15 years of clinical experience in orthopedics. Her research interest is the study of biomechanics and prevention of injuries in sports.