Physiotherapy September 1998/vol 85/no. 9

519

Physiotherapy August 1999/vol 85/no 8

Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford1999, 2nd edn (ISBN 0 7506 9041 0), Illus. 432 pages

by Wade A Lillegard, Janus D Butcher and Karen S Rucker £47.50

This book has been compiled with the intention of providing areference source for diagnosing and managing musculoskelataland medical problems related to the sporting environment. Thegeneral layout of information is split into three main sections:general considerations, injuries and medical conditions.Emphasis in these sections is placed on differential diagnosis,general management and drug management.

Although rehabilitative measures and therapeutic modalitiesare mentioned, the depth of content is aimed at medicalpractitioners and would be insufficient for physiotherapists usingthe text solely for this purpose. However, the information onvarious injuries and their specific diagnostic tests are fairly wellcovered and would be a useful reference source for unfamiliarsymptoms or injuries.

The first section contains chapters on screening examination(which from the text would appear to be mandatory forcompetitive sport in the USA); anti-inflammatory medications;therapeutic modalities, and arranging medical cover for largecompetitive events. This last chapter could be very useful forsomeone faced with organisation of this nature, especially for thefirst time. Mass participation events are quoted as being ‘planneddisasters’ which seemed a rather appropriate description of thework involved at a typical marathon event.

The section on injuries divides chapters between differentregions which makes reference easier. Good use is made ofcomposite diagrams and algorithms to give an overview of thesubject areas covered in the text, again assisting reference. Thechapters are also well illustrated with MRIs and plain X-rays,Various diagnostic manual tests, such as those used for shoulderinstability, are clearly explained and often illustrated withphotographs.

The final section covers a variety of topics such as exerciseinduced bronchospasm, diabetes, acute minor illness and drugsin sport. Although aimed at practitioners, this section could bevery useful to a physiotherapist touring with a team, sometimeswithout medical cover. Recognition and sensible managementadvice is very valuable.

The whole book is laid out in a way that is easy to read and wellillustrated. It is not the book for physiotherapists or studentslooking for definite advice about physiotherapy assessment andtreatment but for those looking for definitive explanations ofspecific injuries or conditions. It would be a useful addition toany department or academic library.

Nicola Phillips MSc MCSP

Handbook of Sports MedicineA symptom-oriented approach

Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, New York13904-1580 USA1999 (ISBN 0 7890 0467 4). 382 pages

edited by Lucinda G Miller, PharmD BCPS and Wallace J Murray PhD $48This is a serious, detailed American book. In an age of alternativetherapies it must have a relevance even for physiotherapists whoare not into herbal remedies. They will meet patients who areand here they can point to dangers in seemingly simple ‘natural’

medicines which, in combination with ‘orthodox’ medicines,

may be far from benign. There is, for example, advice to

diabetics to avoid herbal remedies which conflict with

conventional medication.

A chapter looks at the use of herbal medication to treat

rheumatoid or osteo-arthritis. The book presents information

through discussion of case histories.

The section on the regulation of botanical products in the

United States concludes that consumer demand and their use

by a growing body of health professionals ‘necessitates that the

appropriate regulatory mechanisms be initiated’. The UK usually

follows the US.

Laurence Dopson

Herbal Medicinals: A clinician’sguide

Anterior drawer test: The examiner places one hand on the anterioraspect of the patient’s lower tibia and grasps the calcaneous withthe other hand, gently drawing it anteriorly while stabilising thedistal tibia. Increased translation compared with the contralateralankle indicates laxity or rupture of the anterior talofibular ligament.From ‘Handbook of Sports Medicine’