Orthopaedic Physiotherapy [antikvár]

Having used the original textbooks written by Joan Cash as a student physiotherapist, I later was involved in both the Orthopaedics and Rheumatology for Physiotherapists books as author or editor and now complete the cycle by editing the first edition of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy.The disciplines of medicine and science which underpin the practice of physiotherapy continue to develop and the contribution they make to the knowledge base encompassed by the two major sub-disciplines of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology within physiotherapy is such that it is no longer possible to give each area the required individual attention in a shared text. The decision was taken therefore, for this edition to separate the texts to ensure a more realistic coverage for each topic area. It would have been thought that if the text was to cover Orthopaedics alone, that the selection of content would be facilitated, however, that is not the case and the choice as to what is to be included or excluded is as difficult as ever. It is hoped that the final choice will give the reader sufficient knowledge to approach the challenge of patient management in the field of orthopaedics with enthusiasm and stimulate interest for continued contact with this important area of a physiotherapist's responsibility.Recent changes in the pattern of delivery of health care and the implementation of clinical audit and evidence based care as routine tools for the monitoring of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions have contributed significantly to a diversification of the role and responsibilities of practising physiotherapists. A team approach to the management of patients' problems reflected in chapters in this text is an essential feature of the therapeutic relationship. This has produced more effective care packages for patients who benefit from the input of the most appropriate professional expertise at each stage of recovery.Another significant change that has affected attitudes and orientation for practitioners was the achievement of graduate entry to the profession for all physiotherapists qualifying from British based courses from 1994. This, combined with the right to generate their own work load as they were, in 1977, removed from the need to receive patients only by referral from doctors, dentists or veterinary surgeons has enabled expansion of practice into areas where the physiotherapist's particular knowledge of disorders of function can be explored. The development of therapeutic concepts which rely on this knowledge and expertise has been encouraged and it has been possible to include some of these innovations in this text. Although many of the authors are employed in the National Health Service, chapters have been included from others with practice bases outside the NHS, illustrating the variety of practice opportunity that is available to practitioners.In their enthusiasm to explore new frontiers, physiotherapists have not ignored their responsibilities to other disciphnes involved in patient care and the close working relationships with the medical profession continues to be a feature of practice within the orthopaedic field. The nature of the relationship has changed over the years and physiotherapists are now not only implementing predetermined therapeutic management programmes, but also diversifying practice and developing their own management strategies particularly with regard to long term pain and disability.This edition is aimed at the honours-level undergraduate and newly qualified physiotherapist who will be practising in a patient focused environment that demands effective use of scarce resources and competent ethical practice. In addition to providing a guide for implementation of competent practice in orthopaedic physiotherapy, it is hoped the text will stimulate the reader to search for more specialised literature in the areas of interest and develop the clinical reasoning and reflective practice essential to all practitioners approaching the millennium.The final text is the product of the contributions of a great number of people who have devoted considerable time and effort to the project and I thank the authors for their contributions.My grateful thanks are also given to the Mosby team, particularly to Jill Northcott and Gillian Harris, whose enthusiasm, support and expertise have brought the book to publication.Marian E Tidswell MA, BA, FCSP, Dip TP, ONC Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health, Keele University (formerly Head of the Department of Physiotherapy Studies, Keele University)