Primary Orthopedic Care
by Christy L. Crowther
Category: Medical

Primary Orthopedic Care, 2nd Edition offers the most practical approach to common orthopedic disorders in the primary care setting. Content is organized from upper to lower extremities, beginning with symptoms rather than a diagnosis for use in the patient care setting. Nine major orthopedic areas are thoroughly covered, as well as injections for musculoskeletal disorders. Presentation and history, the most crucial diagnostic tools, are discussed in a separate section within each orthopedic area. In addition, anatomy and physiology, examination, diagnosis (including imaging modalities) and treatment are consistently covered in each region. Its emphasis on differential diagnosis, with clear cautions indicating when to refer a patient to a specialist, make this book a valuable guide for nurse practitioners in primary care. A unique appendix entitled Keys to Common Diagnoses assists in diagnosing the presenting orthopedic disorder with a quick "signs and symptoms" reference guide with corresponding text pages for further explanation. Red Flags boxes indicate when to refer a patient to a specialist. Each disorder is arranged to cover history, examination, diagnosis and treatment, and key recommendations for referral or consultation. Each orthopedic region includes descriptions of imaging studies (X-ray, MRI, CT and bone scans) and other evaluation modalities. A chapter on injections (chapter 10) describes indications, methods, medications and materials to use for corticosteroid and anesthetic injections. Brief anatomy and physiology reviews open each chapter. Content is organized from upper to lower extremities and includes spinal areas as well. More than 300 illustrations demonstrate techniques for diagnosis and orthopedic procedures. Coverage of Paget's disease and other metabolic bone disorders is included, as well as a section on bone tumors that describes the general clinical and radiographic characteristics of benign and malignant tumors. Additional clinical illustrations, including x-ray images, pathology photos, and photos of braces/splints highlight important findings. This edition features expanded coverage of several topics: Osteoporosis (in men, non-whites, testing/screening, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, differential diagnosis). Low back pain (spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, differential diagnosis, herniated nucleus pulposus, tumors). Arthritis (rheumatoid disease, fibromyalgia). Arm and elbow pathological abnormalities. Evaluation and treatment sections (such as evaluation modalities/imaging studies for knee & leg soft tissue studies).