A Closer Look at Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 7th Edition

For students learning how to assess muscles, bones, and joints, Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 7th Edition serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding how to evaluate the entire body.
This includes assessing movement, posture, specific areas like the head and face, amputations, and conditions like sports injuries, concussions, and musculoskeletal disorders.
In this Q&A, authors David J. Magee, BPT, PhD, CM, and Robert C. Manske, PT, DPT, SCS, MEd, ATC, CSCS, share their insights on how physical therapy has evolved and the significant updates in their new edition.

1. Key Takeaways for Students and Faculty

The primary purpose of Orthopedic Physical Assessment is to offer a step-by-step approach for assessing the muscles, bones, and joints of the body. For students, this book is a crucial resource for learning how to identify potential muscle and bone problems systematically. This helps them understand the various possible causes of pain or dysfunction and determine if specific musculoskeletal issues are contributing to the problem.

For practicing physical therapists, the book serves as both a guide to performing physical assessments and a reference for diagnostic tests. It covers muscle and joint examination techniques, diagnostic tests for orthopedic conditions, and other essential assessment techniques used in physical therapy. This edition also includes helpful information for musculoskeletal injury diagnosis and tools for improving clinical reasoning in the assessment process.

2. Changes in the New Edition

In the 7th edition, we’ve introduced several significant updates. Two major chapters have been revised:

• Concussion Assessment: The chapter on the head and face has been updated to reflect the latest standards in concussion assessment. This change helps students and professionals stay current with research in sports injuries and musculoskeletal disorders related to brain injuries.
• Hip Injuries: The hip chapter has seen a major overhaul, particularly focusing on impingement and labral lesions. These updates are critical for physical therapists who treat musculoskeletal injuries in patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions and post-operative orthopedic care.

Additionally, every chapter related to joint assessment now includes a section on diagnostic imaging, which is essential for understanding the role of diagnostic tests for orthopedic conditions in the overall assessment process. Updates are also present in chapters discussing posture assessment, amputations, sports injuries, and the examination of functional mobility.

3. Changes in Physical Therapy Over Time

Physical therapy has evolved significantly, and the role of physical therapists has expanded. Today, many physical therapists enjoy greater independence in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders. They are now able to work directly with patients, providing assessments and treatments without the need for a physician’s referral in some regions. This shift has made physical therapy education and the development of assessment techniques for musculoskeletal disorders even more important.

Physical therapists now also have more tools at their disposal for clinical reasoning in physical therapy and for performing musculoskeletal assessments. Tests and methods are now categorized based on their effectiveness at distinguishing various issues, providing physical therapists with valuable insights to refine their diagnostic approach.

4. Case Studies and Their Role in Developing Skills

One of the standout features of the book is its inclusion of case studies in physical therapy. These real-life examples help students apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations. Case studies allow students to practice selecting appropriate physical therapist assessment techniques for different muscle and joint injuries, and they provide opportunities for students to think critically about diagnostic tests for orthopedic conditions.

The case studies also focus on patient positioning in physical assessment, showing students how to position patients to minimize discomfort and reduce movement during assessments, especially when dealing with injuries and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. This practical approach reinforces the importance of post-operative orthopedic care and rehabilitation techniques for injuries.

5. Advice for Teachers in This Field

As education in orthopedic nursing and physical therapy education continues to adapt to new learning environments, especially with the rise of remote learning, instructors should remain adaptable. Teachers need to balance flexibility with structure, ensuring that students are engaged while maintaining high standards for their learning and assessments.

In teaching nursing skills for musculoskeletal assessment, instructors should emphasize the importance of using systematic physical assessments to identify issues and understand clinical reasoning. As students gain more experience, they will be able to adjust their assessments based on their growing knowledge of musculoskeletal injuries, muscle and bone injuries, and functional mobility assessments.

Impact on Physical Therapy Practice

The book highlights how physical therapy has evolved over the years, particularly in the realm of orthopedic rehabilitation. By focusing on rehabilitation techniques for injuries, it offers a guide for physical therapists in orthopedic injury treatment. Whether you’re looking for information on muscle and joint examination techniques or diagnostic imaging, this resource provides an essential framework for understanding both common musculoskeletal injuries and advanced orthopedic rehabilitation.

As physical therapists work with patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, it’s crucial to understand the role of functional mobility assessment in recovery. This book offers clear guidelines on how to assess mobility in patients, whether they’re recovering from an orthopedic injury or sports injuries.