Pocket Guide to Musculoskeletal Assessment, ed 2.

Pocket Guide to Musculoskeletal Assessment, ed 2.

Baxter R. St Louis, MO 63146, Saunders, 2003, spiralbound (with CD-ROM), 286 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-7216-9779-8, $34.95.

The purpose of this book is to provide a concise framework for a thorough neuromusculoskeletal examination and intervention. The book's convenient pocket size and spiral binding provides increased portability and utility.

Each of the 15 chapters is written in an outline format tot ease of reference. This format is concise, efficient, and written to minimize patient position changes during the examination. The references and bibliography at the end of each chapter provide an avenue for pursuing more in-depth examination and treatment methods.

The orthopedic chapters are arranged by region of the body (ie, cervical spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee, and foot and ankle). Regional special tests are presented in tables that list a core grouping of tests, the purpose of each test,

the procedure, and positive signs. Regional treatment options for common conditions also are presented in tables, which list the history and symptoms, signs, and brief treatment options. Commonly used questionnaires and outcome measures also are included at the end of the chapter. Although the focus of the book is on orthopedics, the author does give outlines for topics related to inpatient examination (ie, respiratory, cardiac, lower-extremity amputation, neurologic, and orthopedic examination).

The appendixes provide additional resources for patient care, including information on: dermatomes, sclerotomes, auscultation, normal range of motion, a ligament laxity grading scale, joint capsular patterns and closed pack positions, blister care, brachial plexus diagram, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, radiology, physical agent indications and contraindications, traction, laboratory values, Preferred Physical Therapist Practice Patterns[TM] delineated in APTA's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, and abbreviations and definitions.

The addition of a CD-ROM to the second edition greatly enhances the utility of this reference, because it provides audiovisual clips of orthopedic special tests that will undoubtedly aid comprehension. The companion CD features video presentations of 35 special tests plus Internet access to additional video presentations of tests discussed in the book--149 tests in all. The video presentation via the Internet requires downloading the RealOne Player, which is available free of charge (basic version) or for a one-time fee of $19.95 (player-plus version).

Overall, the book is well organized and meets its objective of providing a concise reference manual to aid in the neuro-musculoskeletal examination process. Towards this end, the addition of the CD clearly enhances the reader's comprehension of the orthopedic special tests. Although this pocket guide does not venture into postsurgical conditions or management, it should be a great addition for physical therapist students during clinical affiliations--and for physical therapists who are beginning professional practice--as a reference for common conditions encountered in clinics.

Paul Burke, PT, MS, Cert MDT 

Weiss Memorial Hospital

Chicago, Ill

Mr Burke is a full-time clinician specializing in acute through chronic management of orthopedic spinal disorders.

[Note: The minimum computer system requirements for the CD-ROM are: 233MHz Intel Pentium II processor, 64MB of RAM, 28.8 Kbps modem (audio only), 16-bit sound card and speakers, 65,000-color video display card set to display at 800 x 600 (video), Windows 98SE or above.]