Orthopaedics for the Physical Therapist Assistant, 2nd Edition

ISBN: 9781284139310
ISBN-10: 128413931X
Copyright: 2019
Edition: 2nd
Author: Dutton, Mark
Doody's Expert Review    Score: 94
Reviewer: Jason Oliver,  PTA  (McLeod-Trahan-Sheffield Physical Therapy Services )
Description
This book covers a broad spectrum of fundamental orthopedic rehabilitation skills needed by PTAs working in the orthopedic physical therapy setting. Each chapter begins with an overview and learning objectives, contains color photos, uses key point boxes, and ends with a summary, review questions, and a case study. This is an update of the 2012 first edition.
Purpose
The purpose is to provide essential information about evidence-based guidelines for the assessment and rehabilitation of orthopedic patients. This edition focuses on evidence-based practice, yet increases attention to critical decision making processes and adds general orthopedic conditions and cardiovascular conditioning guidelines. The added information and re-organization of material from the 1st edition aims to serve as one of the best available orthopedic sources for students and clinicians.
Audience
The intended readers are PTA students and practicing clinicians studying orthopedics. It is also valuable for physical therapists who are either part of, or supervise, a PT and PTA team in the orthopedic setting. The author has also authored four editions of Dutton's Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention.
Features
The 27 chapters are grouped into four sections. The first section covers the role of the PTA in orthopedics, and the elements of the evaluation, examination, and critical decision making process. The author acknowledges the value of evidence-based practice, the model of disablement, and the significance of direct access. Full chapters are devoted to tissue injury and repair as well as to clinical decision making for the PTA. The first section also reviews the nervous and musculoskeletal systems as well as common conditions. Most valuable to the patient/clinician relationship are the elements of care that ensure successful patient "buy-in" to a physical therapist's plan of care. Important elements such as quality of patient education, demonstration of empathy, and awareness and effective adaptation to cultural and personality diversity are covered as well. The second section includes examples of many common therapeutic interventions used to treat orthopedic patients. It goes over the use of exercise, functional mobility and balance, muscle performance, and cardiopulmonary conditioning. The third section reviews the various joint complexes of human anatomy and their common pathologies and discusses recommended intervention strategies for each region. It also covers the spine, ribcage, and TMJ. The final section covers pediatric and geriatric orthopedic PT considerations and developmental stages and their impact on clinical decision making for intervention selection and application. Six appendixes contain APTA guidelines and standards for conduct and documentation as well as pertinent lab values and orthopedic terminology and abbreviations, including terms used for PNF treatment techniques. Also available are instructor resources including a test bank, PowerPoint slides, and an image bank.
Assessment
This thorough and well-organized book reflects current trends in practice, evidence, and the impact on educating PTAs who are involved in orthopedic patient care. As physical therapists' expertise and autonomy of practice flourishes, all healthcare providers need to be held to a high standard of education regardless of their role. While thorough, it is unlikely this book will be fully covered in a PTA student curriculum unless the educational program allows for some level of specialization. However, the lifelong learning nature of physical therapy means this book can be referenced for years after graduation.
Review Questionnaire
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 4
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 4
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 3
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 5
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 10