295

Arthritis at Bur Age? by Jill Holmyd. The Grindle Press, PO Box 222, lpswich, Suffolk IP9 1HE. 1992 (ISBN 0 9518816 0 4). 313 pages. f 295 plus f 1.65 postage.

An arthritis sufferer herself from a young age has written this book t o . provide a wealth of information for other young (under-65) arthritis patients. The book begins by discussing some of the different rheumatic conditions and the various treatments available.

The rest of the book is devoted to all aspects related to ‘living with arthritis’ - ie employment, further education, socialising, holidays, relationships, marriage, etc.

The information provided is frequently interspersed with quotes from other people with arthritis, thus giving a genuine feeling of ‘I know how you feel’ or ‘I know what it is like t o . . ! rather than thoughts and ideas written by non- arthritic people who can only imagine what it must be like to have arthritis.

The overall bias of this book is that patients need a good working relationship with their healthcare team and that they are the people who are central to that team and they need to find out how to help themselves using medical professionals as advisers.

At the end of each section there is a bibliography and/or list of useful contact numbers and addresses.

I feel that the right balance has been achieved in expressing the more depressing aspects of these potentially very disabling diseases and the endless possibilities available for leading a fulfilled life provided patients have a strong will and good support from others.

Though primarily written for patients, this book is an invaluable source of information for anyone involved in the management of people with arthritis.

The layout makes it easy to dip into and

ctive test fir posterolateral instability. An illustration fiom ‘Knee Ligamen Rehabilitation’

Knee Ligament Rehabilitation edited by Robert P Engle PT ATC. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1997 (ISBN 0 443 087539). Illus. 228 pages. f29B.

This excellent book, edited by a physio- therapist, consists of chapters by 21 contributors, of whom 14 are physio- therapists, one a n athletic trainer, one a researcher, and the rest doctors and surgeons. The list of contributors is impressive, promising expert coverage of rehabilitation and surgery topica, plus the theoretical bases and research findings relevant to clinical practice.

Chapters are presented on knee anatomy, biomechanics, examination techniques, surgery for different problems, rehabilitation and bracing. Probably because many of the contri- butors are involved in sports medicine, several chapters are devoted to the treatment of torn cruciate ligaments. There is a n interesting and highly

successful combination of technical and scientific information alongside descriptions of practical techniques and rehabilitation schedules.

The text is well written and attractively presented, with abundant diagrams and photographs lending visual clarity to the material.

Practitioners will not necessarily agree with all the techniques and treatment methods described in this book - i n d e d it would probably be unhealthy for the further development of our profession if they did.

Any physiotherapist dealing with knee injuries will certainly enjoy this book. It contains information to learn from, and ideas which will promote further thought and evaluation of tre ment techniques. In this, it makes 4 important con- tribution towards. raising standards of clinical physiotherapy practice

Vivian Grisogono MA(0xon) MCSP

use, as intended, as a reference book. The ring binding instead of a traditional solid spine makes handling the book much easier, especially for arthritics who often have poor hand function.

Overall I would say it is excellent value for money and a must for all departments including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and the wards, as it provides quick and easy access to information for patients and their relatives as well as members of staff.

Elizabeth Hall MCSP

Regular Respite by Michael Nolan and Gordon Grant. Age Concern England, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4/33, 7992 (ISBN 0 86242 115 2). 310 pages. f 19.95.

This is Age Concern Institute of Gerontology research paper 6. Based on an evaluation study of hospital respite care provided on continuing care wards in North Wales. the research examines the

- service (through both interviews and

Jill Holmyd, author of ‘Arthritis at Your Age?: enjoying a visit to Rakirk Wildfiwl IRust, Cambridgeshire

observation) from the perspective of the recipients, their carers and the staff providing it. The study pays particular attention to carers, and includes a good practice guide for those involved in the provision of respite care.

Women Healers Through Hlstory by Elhbeth Brooke. The Women’s Press, 34 Great Sunon Street, London EC7V ODX, 1993 (ISBN 0 7043 4324 w. 210 pages. f299.

Considering that women have held the caring, nurturing, healing role uncontested since the dawn of time, it is unfair that men abrogated the right to careers in medicine in recent centuries.

That balance is now being restored, but this book goes back to 4000BC for documented evidence that the healing powers of women, though no longer 80 r e v e r e d , am firmly rooted in antiquity and never entirely vanished. Only a scholar could check the accuracy of the early references but the book is entertaining as well as instructive. It could be used for reference itaelf as a sort of ‘Who’s Who’ among female medical personalities.

t Physiotherapy, Aprlll993, vol79, no 4