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Prosthetics and Patient Management: A Comprehensive Clinical Approach

Carroll K, Edelstein JE, eds. Thorofare, NJ 08086, Slack Inc, 2006, hardcover, 284 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-55642-671-2, $52.95.

The book is organized into 4 sections. The first section, "Early Management," includes 6 chapters covering topics such as amputation surgery, postoperative management, pain management, and the management of skin disorders.

One particular chapter in this section explores the psychological consequences of amputation. Like all of the other chapters in this book, it provides a brief overview of the topic. Although the chapter lacks significant depth, it is refreshing to see the topic included because not all texts on amputation and prosthetics discuss the psychological implications.

The second and third sections— "Rehabilitation of Adults with Lower-Limb Amputations" and "Rehabilitation of Adults with Upper-Limb Amputations"—include material that typically is included in books on this subject, such as level of amputation, prosthetic designs for various levels of amputation, and basic prosthetic training. The chapter covering prosthetic training is longer than most chapters in the book, but remains true to the format by providing an overview rather than a detailed description. This is unfortunate for the physical therapist, however, because this is likely to be the topic of greatest interest.

The fourth section, "Beyond the Basics," includes chapters on a number of different topics, such as special considerations with children who have amputations and the use of prosthetics for recreation. The chapter on determining the effectiveness of rehabilitation outcomes is very welcome, but lacks the depth needed to be useful. For example, it discusses paper-and-pencil tests that patients can complete to measure rehabilitation outcome, but a copy of the tool for clinicians to use is not provided. The section concludes with 2 chapters that take a futuristic look at prosthetic components, surgery, and education. All of the chapters in this section are especially interesting, but again do not provide sufficient depth to satisfy those who are already familiar with the basics.

In summary, this book is well written and provides an excellent general overview on limb amputation, prosthetics, and patient management. It covers a large number of topics and issues, but none of them in any great depth or detail. As such, the book will be a fairly good text for entry-level clinicians; however, for those who are already in the field and have a fairly basic understanding of the topic, the book will likely be too basic and leave them wanting.

Mark W Cornwall

MW Cornwall, PT, PhD, is Professor and Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Program in Physical Therapy, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz

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This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cornwall, M. W Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Cornwall, M. W Related Collections Adaptive/Assistive Devices Social Bookmarking                      What's this?