This book is the third edition in what has become an essential text for physiotherapists, sports doctors and sports physicians worldwide. Its strength lies in the multidisciplinary approach to regional problems seen in sports medicine. From the practitioners' point of view, the book looks at problem solving and assessing individual issues from the point of patient presentation rather than the diagnosis. Brukner and Khan have enhanced the book by including key guest contributors who are leaders in their field. Having Per Holmic contributing to a section on groin pain or Hakan Alfredson writing with Jill Cook on Achilles pain can only enhance the credibility of any publication. It is, however, the multidisciplinary approach to sports medicine problems that makes this book unique, with the sections on rehabilitation of specific injuries being a major strength of this book. The tables and diagrams are clear and concise, and the artistic drawings of anatomical structures and specific injuries are excellent. The quality of the radiographs and the place of radiological investigation in injury diagnosis are well handled.
I was impressed with the attempt to back up treatment protocols and interventions with evidence‐based research. Indeed, this is a difficult field in sports medicine as some of what we do is based on clinical experience rather than hard evidence. Table 28.5—for example, in the section on anterior knee pain—detailing the level of evidence supporting various treatment interventions is especially commendable and helpful. If the authors let themselves down anywhere, it is in the promotion of a few clinical conditions “dear to their hearts”. Sportsman's hernias, obturator nerve entrapments, sinus tarsi syndrome or cuboid syndrome, for instance, are promoted as definite clinical entities, where some international experience would certainly cast doubt on their mere existence! Most of the areas of controversy, however, are quite well discussed through the book. The issue of the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture, however, where surgery is presented as a “no‐brainer” in the athlete, may come back to haunt the authors as emerging evidence showing the effectiveness of an accelerated conservative programme is published.
Certain chapters in the book exceeded my expectations. The section on hand and wrist injuries, for instance, is dealt with exceptionally well for a topic that in the past has been a “poor relation” in other texts. The section on biomechanics was also well handled. Detailed biomechanical science has been put into concise simple language for the clinician, which can be used in the treatment of many of the common injuries we see.
I was pleased to see an expansion of the management of medical problems in the book. The difficulty in such a text is paying due attention to important topics and unfortunately cardiology was brief in its review. I thought the sections on asthma and diabetes, the tired athlete and gastrointestinal symptoms during exercise, were well handled in the space available. The chapter on headache earlier in the book was also excellent. Environmental issues regarding exercise in the heat, the cold and at altitude were well presented as one would expect from such fine authors of these chapters.
The emphasis on rehabilitation and treatment protocols is a major strength. The digital video disk with synopses of the different injuries and treatment options is excellent and a real boost to clinical practice. The practice pearls are a good idea and are great take‐away messages for the practising clinician.
Overall, it is an excellent publication and an absolute must for clinicians wanting to treat athletes. As much as it irks a Kiwi like myself to compliment two Aussies on a “damn fine job”, I will have to relent this time and say well done on what should be a best‐seller in sports medicine.
Rating
Presentation 18/20
Comprehension 19/20
Readability 20/20
Relevance 18/20
Evidence base 15/20
Total 90/100