The Biomechanics of the Foot and Ankle.

The Biomechanics of the Foot and Ankle This book is intended for contemporary physical therapy clinicians and students. It was written to help bridge the gap between podiatric science and the physical therapy management of foot and ankle dysfunction.

The chapters in section 1 are devoted to the normal and abnormal anatomy and biomechanics of the ankle and foot and to the normal development of gait. Section 2 contains chapters on biomechanical evaluation, radiographic assessment, evaluation relevant to functional orthotics and overuse syndromes, and the diabetic foot. In section 3, treatment is discussed in terms of biomechanical orthotics and the physical therapy and surgical management of specific common problems.

The way this book is organized--from basic anatomy and biomechanics to biomechanical evaluation to treatment--is effective and will help enhance the problem-solving abilities of readers. Each chapter is well-organized and clearly and concisely written. Figures, tables, photographs, and radiographs are abundant and are strategically placed to complement the text. Most chapters conclude with many contemporary references. The first two chapters each include a glossary of commonly used terms and phrases that should serve to clear up the confusion surrounding the use of these terms. What makes this text unique is the integration of case studies into some of the chapters on evaluation and treatment. The clinical decision-making processes described in the case studies will be valuable for both experienced clinicians and students.

A certain amount of redundancy is usually present in edited texts with a number of authors, and this text is no exception; there is considerable redundancy in the ankle-foot evaluation chapters. Although experienced clinicians could wade through the repetition to choose appropriate information, student readers may be overwhelmed. I believe this book could have been more complete if the chapter on radiographic evaluation had included some discussion of computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scans. The appendix to chapter 6 includes a brief discussion of the dynamic assessment of the foot, but the discussion would have been more meaningful to clinicians if data from a case study also had been presented.

A book like this is needed in the physical therapy literature. It will provide experienced practitioners with a better understanding of foot and ankle function and the management of dysfunction and pathology. Although this book may not be immediately useful as an entry-level text, it definitely should be used as a reference. The book's case studies will serve as good models for physical therapy faculty who are involved in orthopedic courses related to clinical decision making. The editor's purpose was achieved in this publication, and I recommend the book to any interested physical therapy practitioners.