There are a countless number of tests to consider when examining the musculoskeletal system. This is a daunting challenge for new and old practitioners as your recollection can become limited to what is more commonly used.
“The 3-Minute Musculoskeletal & Peripheral Nerve Exam” by Miller, DiCuccio, Heckert and Davis summarizes the more commonly used tests into a small pocket sized companion. The size facilitates easy use for the student and experienced clinician and can be carried in your lab coat.
Divided into 9 chapters, the text addresses different structures to be tested as opposed to specific conditions. This allows the user to quickly reference which tests to use when assessing patients with unknown conditions. Of particular interest was the inclusion of the final 3 chapters consisting of quick reference tables, a musculoskeletal atlas and muscle tables. These additions were concise and are excellent to expedite memory recollection.
Although the text is quite inclusive, it is not without the flaw of being unable to include all of the tests for the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, this text should only be used for quick referencing and complete reliance on this text should be cautioned.
The acquisition of this text would be excellent for new or old practitioners in assessing the musculoskeletal system and providing a quick reference tool in clinical practice.