The Hand: Examination and Diagnosis, 3d ed.

The Hand: Examination and Diagnosis, ed 3

American Society for Surgery of the Hand. New York, NY 10036, Churchill Livingstone Inc, 1990, paperback, 136 pp, illus, $12.95. As the title implies, the purpose of this book is to provide the physician with "a core of information on the diagnostic history and physical examination of the normal, diseased, or injured hand." A method of examination is also provided. Treatment is not presented in this small book. This book is a companion to The Hand: Primary Care of Common Problems. This small volume covers the breadth of hand injuries nicely. Although the intended audience is physicians, a physical therapy practitioner who sees many patients with hand involvement would benefit from having this book available. The first part of the book contains a review of terminology specific to the hand (motions and structures); examination procedures for the skin, fingertip and nailbed, muscles, nerves, and circulation; and an overview of the anatomy of the hand. The second part of the book contains descriptions of common clinical problems including lacerations, fractures and dislocations, acquired and congenital deformities, tumors, and infections. One of the appendixes contains a review of clinical assessments for the hand including assessments for sensibility, strength, motion, and vascular status. The many illustrations are clear and combine to be an asset to the text. This book is small, but filled with current, pertinent information that would be useful for anyone treating patients with hand injuries. The contents are not necessarily pertinent to what the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant needs to do in treatment, but the book provides an excellent background for evaluation and offers the physical therapist the physician's perspective. I recommend this book highly. Jan F Perry, EdD, PT Medical College of Georgia August, GA