Book Review of Clinical Sports Medicine 3rd Ed.

Clinical Sports Medicine
Peter Brukner and Karim Khan
Third Edition
Published August 2006
Published by McGraw-Hill
www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk
ISBN 0 074 71520 8
₤54.99

Clinical Sports Medicine is a hardback comprising of more than 1000 pages and 62 chapters. Despite its size, the book is easy to read because it has a logical structure and a good format.

Clinical Sports Medicine is divided into six parts: fundamental principles, regional problems, enhancing sports performance, special groups of participants, management of medical problems and practical sports medicine. Each part is colour coded so it can be identified before opening the book. Each part is also made up of chapters which have a logical flow from one to the next. Most chapters benefit from the generous use of colour photographs, easy to follow flow charts and tables. X-ray, CT and MRI images are also used to demonstrate many conditions. The text of every chapter is referenced to peer-reviewed journals giving the reader confidence in the accuracy of the contents.

The second part of the book – regional problems – is arguably the best section. Each region of the body is introduced with a summary of the anatomy. Photographs of surface anatomy are combined with clear colour illustrations of the underlying structures. An approach to the assessment of each region is then outlined using the familiar system of history, examination, investigation and treatment. Details of common and important diagnoses or problems conclude the study of each region.

Fundamental principles explains the anatomy and physiology of each tissue type and how overuse and acute injury can damage them. It also demystifies biomechanics and outlines treatment options and rehabilitation. Maximizing sporting performance addresses both the nutritional and psychological aspects of top-level sporting performance. Special groups of participants outlines the differing needs of the young, female, old and disabled athlete. Management of medical problems covers common cardiac and respiratory problems together with further chapters on diabetes, epilepsy and common infections. Practical sports medicine includes pointers on providing medical care for a sporting team and the relationship between sporting performance and drugs.

A CD accompanies the book and contains patient information sheets. The information is printable and incorporates the regional problems and medical problems mentioned in the book. The sheets are well written but, understandably, focus on the athlete and so would not typically be useful in non-sporting practice.

Clinical Sports Medicine is a must for any clinician interested in sports medicine including surgeons, physicians, GPSIs and physiotherapists. The book is also useful as a reference text for clinicians such as GPs who may not regularly be called on to assess the athlete but who are often consulted by a sporting individual.

Dr Simon Hamer July 2007