A Closer Look at Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 7th Edition

A Closer Look at Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 7th Edition

For students who are learning about assessing muscles and bones, Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 7th Edition covers how to assess all the body’s parts and joints. This includes topics like how people walk, their posture, the head and face, amputations, general healthcare, and sports injuries.

In this Q&A, authors David J. Magee, BPT, PhD, CM, and Robert C. Manske, PT, DPT, SCS, MEd, ATC, CSCS, share their insights about the current state of physical therapy and the helpful updates in their new book.

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1. Key Takeaway for Students and Faculty

The main goal of this book is to be a comprehensive resource for assessing muscles and bones. For students, the book is meant to teach them a step-by-step process for assessing muscles and bones in a logical way. This way, they can consider all possible muscle and bone issues that might cause problems and figure out if they’re part of the issue or not.

For practicing therapists, the book not only offers a systematic approach to assessment but also serves as a reference for specific tests related to specific muscle and bone parts. Our aim is to include many known tests and provide information on how to perform each test and understand the results.

2. Changes in the New Edition

We’ve made significant changes in two chapters for this edition. In the Head & Face chapter, we’ve updated how we assess concussions to match current standards. The hip chapter has also seen major changes, with more details and updates on impingement and labral lesions. Additionally, each chapter about specific joints now includes a section about diagnostic imaging.

Just like in the previous editions, we’ve updated chapters on assessing how people walk, their posture, amputations, primary care, and sports injuries. These chapters are useful not just for physical therapists but also for other professionals dealing with muscle and bone issues. We’ve updated all chapters where needed with new tests, pictures, boxes, and tables.

3. Changes in Physical Therapy Over Time

Physical therapy, especially the assessment part, has changed a lot over the years and has gained more independence in many countries. Physical therapists can now work more independently and be the first ones to provide care directly to patients. They’re part of a team that deals with muscle and bone issues. This independence allows them to assess and treat muscle and bone problems on their own.

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Also, tests are now categorized based on how well they can identify or distinguish problems. There’s more research on how well assessment methods work, and these new findings are in every edition of Orthopedic Physical Assessment. In the sixth edition, we added a red light – green light icon to show which tests seem to be more effective, helping therapists choose the right tests.

4. Case Studies and Their Role in Developing Skills

Case studies in the book help students think about real-life situations. They can use these cases to think about which assessment tests they would do and why, and how they would tell different problems apart. The summaries show students how to position patients when assessing them to minimize movement, especially when patients are in pain and hesitant to move.

5. Advice for Teachers in This Field

Especially in 2020, teachers need to be flexible yet firm. They should listen to students’ needs, especially with remote learning, but still hold them responsible. The book is designed to help students learn a systematic way to assess muscles and bones, considering all possible issues. With more experience, therapists might adjust their assessment methods based on their clinical reasoning and knowledge.