OVERALL RATING Very good
STRENGTHS Concise, brief, clear; helpful photographs; systematic approach to musculoskeletal examination
WEAKNESSES None
AUDIENCE Students, residents, and clinicians in nonorthopedic, nonmusculoskeletal disciplines
At a mere 80 pages, this book can easily be devoured during the commercial breaks of your favourite medical television show—but it probably won’t help you solve any of the more obscure medical mysteries dramatized on these programs. This modest little book, endorsed by the Canadian Rheumatology Association, is exactly what it claims to be—a primer. But what it sets out to do, it does well.
The chapters are short (4 to 8 pages), are packed with good photographs, and follow a clear and systematic approach to the examination of each joint: inspection, palpation, range-of-motion testing, and special joint-specific tests. Each chapter concludes with specific clinical vignettes to help consolidate learning and demonstrate practical application.
The appendices contain good photographs of common articular problems, normal active range-of-motion measurements for each joint, a glossary, and a brief list of suggested reading for more in-depth information on the subject.
One particularly nice feature of the book is that the rationale behind each of the joint-specific tests is explained in a clear and logical fashion so the reader can actually understand (instead of simply memorizing) each of the maneuvers. This is a simple but appreciated touch that is surprisingly absent in many other texts on the subject.
For the student or clinician looking for a quick refresher on the basics of the musculoskeletal examination, this book’s brevity and clarity are its strongest points. Those in specialized musculoskeletal disciplines will want to look elsewhere for more comprehensive texts.
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