By the time this edition of the 
Jo u rn a l is p u b lish e d , m any 
changes will have occurred both 
within the SA Society of Physio­
therapy as well as in our country at 
large.

Hopefully members of the Soci­
ety will have contributed posi­
tively to these changes and have 
actively participated in the im­
provements proposed. It must be 
remembered that bad officials are 
elected by good citizens who could 
not be bothered to vote, and poor 
decisions may be made by the few 
because of the lethargy of the ma­
jority. Unless we have given of our 
time, expense and expertise to the 
restructuring of the Society or to 
compiling positional papers of the 
role of physiotherapy in future 
health care, we dare not now criti­
cise those who did indeed do so.

An opportunity to discuss the 
output from the various commit­
tees will be given at Council and 
the decisions taken at the meeting 
will be published later. Hopefully

BOOK REVIEW

NEURO/MUSCULO-SKELETAL 
EXAMINATION AND RECORDING GUIDE

5th Edition 1992 Published by Lauderdale 
Press

The 5th edition of this booklet publish­
ed in 1992 effectively summarises parts of 
the texts of Vertebral and Peripheral Ma­
nipulation by the same author. It serves as 
a useful companion to both.

The booklet is small and manageable 
and will be valuable as a reference in the 
clinical set-up. It will be especially useful 
to students who have recently been intro­
duced to the Maitland Concept. Students 
will also find it a useful adjunct for revision 
as the most essential parts are well high­
lighted.

Bladsy 22

Council members will be given 
more flexible mandates from the 
Branches this year so that, after 
constructive discussion, we may 
co m p o se our differen ces and 
prejudices with our fellow council­
lors in the common pursuit of true 
judgement. Consensus does not 
need to be absolute, but sufficient 
consensus will suffice if all rele­
vant aspects of the matter are con­
sidered, resulting in informed 
judgement. Eastern Province is to 
be congratulated on its willingness 
to host a Council Meeting and to 
run a mini Congress, in spite of 
being one of the smaller Branches.

This edition of our Journal is de­
voted to respiratory and cardiac 
matters. In a pilot study, Eales and 
Stewart investigated factors that 
may predict successful rehabilita­
tion in patients who have under­
gone coronary artery bypass sur­
gery. Important factors such as im­
provement in the quality of life and 
acceptance of responsibility by the 
patients in their own rehabilitation

The second section deals with the ex­
amination of the peripheral joints, where 
the techniques required for adequately 
testing the relevant joint are listed. For 
each joint "com plex" eg. shoulder complex 
the examiner is reminded of moving to 
pain or moving to limit, the tests which 
should be performed for chronic and mi­
nor symptoms and the tests required to 
prove that joints are unaffected.

The following section deals with the 
examination of the Vertebral joints. Useful 
information on the Neurological examina­
tion, illustrations of dermatomes and Se­
lection of Treatment Techniques amongst 
other things is also included.

This booklet is highly recommended es­
pecially for students or any therapist who

................................................................................................................- .............................................Ml

is stressed.
M Senekal undertook a large 

study which investigated the opti­
mal physiotherapy approach to 
penetrating stab wounds of the 
chest. It was found that an aggres­
sive approach of immediate chest 
physiotherapy had definite benefi­
cial effects, which are discussed. A 
literature survey to establish the 
therapeutic effects of ambubag- 
ging was carried out by M Barker, 
and the author stresses the need for 
more controlled and reproducible 
studies. Guidelines are offered in 
the use of this technique for clinical 
practitioners. In the study by S 
Wessels, the effects of mechanical 
vibrations on gaseous exchange 
and lung function was investi­
gated. In this study as attempt was 
made to isolate one modality dur­
ing two consecutive treatment ses­
sions. It is, however, not always 
possible to control the many other 
variables found in patients used in 
such studies. / C Beenhakker

uses the Maitland Concept method for ex­
amination and treatment.

C Cunningham

Fisioterapie, Me/ 1994 Deel 50 no 2
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