Quick Reference to Physical Therapy.

Pauls JA, Reed KL. Gaithersburg, MD 20878, Aspen Publishers Inc, 1996, paperback, 740 pp, illus, $45.

As the authors state, "This book provides a synopsis of the diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions referenced in the physical therapy literature." For each diagnosis, information regarding client assessment, education, and treatment is offered. The intended audience includes physical therapist students, clinicians, educators, and researchers.

Fifteen chapters present the diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions and their interventions. The chapters cover a broad range of subjects and are titled: "Conditions in Athletic Injuries," "Cardiovascular Conditions," "Connective Tissue Conditions," "Endocrine Disorders," "Hand Injuries," "Infectious Disease Conditions," "Injuries," "Musculoskeletal Disorders," "Conditions in Back Pain," "Neurological Disorders," "Oncology," "Pediatric Disorders," "Pulmonary Disorders," "Skin Disorders," and "Women's Health Disorders."

Every featured disease, disorder, or dysfunction is presented in a consistent format within each chapter. The description and cause are discussed in narrative style. The assessment, problems, treatment and management, precautions and contraindications, desired outcome and prognosis, and references are presented in bulleted format. Content of special interest is displayed within text boxes.

Subtitles within this chapter format vary. For example, portions of "Spinal Cord Injury: Paraplegia" and "Connective Tissue Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis" are highlighted here. In the section on paraplegia, the assessment is divided into topic areas (history, psychosocial, pain, pulmonary, cardiovascular, skin and soft tissue, neurological, motor control, strength, mobility, gait, functional assessment, equipment, and special tests) and instruments and procedures (functional level, gait, motor control, special tests, and strength). The areas are followed by problems (primary and secondary), treatment and management (acute, subacute), desired outcome (acute, subacute), and prognosis (general, gait, psychosocial, fertility). References for paraplegia are organized using the same subtitles.

In contrast, the section on rheumatoid arthritis divides the assessment into topic areas (history, inflammation, pain, posture, mobility, strength, neurological, joint integrity, skin and soft tissue, balance, gait, functional level, equipment, and special tests) and instruments and procedures (functional level, gait, inflammation, mobility, pain, special tests, strength). These subdivisions are followed by problems (general, hands, lower extremities), treatment and management (general, and [acute, subacute, chronic], hands [acute, subacute, chronic]), and expected outcome and prognosis. Again, references are organized using these same subtitles. Comments that clarify the reference content are included where appropriate.

The Quick Reference to Physical Therapy has many strengths. Information was gathered from seven computer databases, 23 journals, and more than 175 texts. Diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions from all areas of physical therapy practice are included. Topics for assessment, education, and treatment are clearly outlined. The references allow the reader to look more deeply into each content area. Finally, the appendixes on pediatric assessment, aging, and "addresses" provide the therapist with additional resources and contacts.

This text fulfills its purpose as a quick reference to physical therapy. Students, entry-level and experienced clinicians, educators, and researchers will find the text useful for its broad coverage of topics and the additional resources offered.

Renee Mabey, PhD, PT University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND

Dr Mabey is Assistant Professor and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the area of patient evaluation and physical therapist interventions.