Special Tests for Orthopedic Examination by Jeff G. Konin, Denise Wiksten, Holly Brader, Jerome A. Isear, Jr.

From the Publisher

Special tests are an important part of the evaluation process that includes the status of a subject's range of motion, strength, flexibility, and inert/noninert structures. This book is a clear, concise reference for identifying and performing special tests used during an orthopedic injury examination. It will help students learn to perform thorough injury evaluations, and accurately interpret their findings. In this comprehensive resource, more than 125 special test are explained, including indications, contraindictions, positive findings, and special considerations for each. The book offers an easy-to-understand format for locating special tests used for different regions of the body. The tests are current, descriptive, and supported by photographs illustrating proper clinician and subject positioning.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Christopher James Hughes, PT, PhD, OCS, C (Slippery Rock University)
Description:The authors of this text are now in their 3rd edition. This is indicative of the popularity and need for the information presented.
Purpose:The main purpose of the book is to serve as an easy to access pocket guide for clinicians (athletic trainers, physical therapists etc) to refer to and quickly learn common special orthopaedic tests. According to the authors, the delivery of the information using a spiral-bound binding and crisp diagrams with arrows assist in the practicality of learning the information. The authors also strived to support each clinical test with references describing the reliability and evidence underlying the diagnostic accuracy of each test. Overall, the authors have done an excellent job meeting their objectives.
Audience:Medical professional and allied health practitioners will find that the text is a valuable resource and easily allows them to retrieve and review the information to conduct each test. All four authors are Certified Athletic Trainers and two are also physical therapists. Two authors also hold a PhD.
Features:Eleven major sections cover most of the common clinical tests for each of the major joints including the temporomandibular joint. Section twelve describes five clinical tests that may not be supported in the literature but are helpful in arriving at an accurate diagnosis. The best features of the book are its design (spiral bound) which makes it easy to try each test while still referencing the text. The illustrations are clearly labeled denoting the direction of the patient's movementand the examiner's movement or force application. The text accompanying each test is succinct and headings offer clear and consistent organization. The only shortcoming would be that it is not all inclusive for cataloging the large array of clinical tests that are available. However, the authors support their rationale by only including evidence-based tests where possible.
Assessment:The authors have shown support for publishing a 3rd edition by adding strong improvements to the previous editions. Although not a comprehensive resource it serves the purpose of being a quick easy- to-read resource. I strongly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn each of these clinical tests and also recommend it as a resource of bibliographic information on clinical testing in Orthopaedics.

Booknews

Konin (James Madison U.), Denise L. Wiksten (San Diego State U.), and Jerone A. Isear, Jr. (Carolinas Physical Therapy Network) offer coverage of 150-plus special tests for sports-related and non athletic orthopedic injuries, description of each test component (positioning, action and positive findings), and photographs illustrating the proper subject and clinician positioning. Tests are organized by regions of the body, and the commentary provides clinical insight and discussion of implications. Spiral binding. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

What People Are Saying

William S. Quillen
William S. Quillen, PhD, PT, SCS, Journal for Athletic Training

This book will make a valuable addition to the professional library of students in athletic training, physical therapy, physician assisting and chiropractic fields.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents