Hip and Knee Pain Disorders has been written to provide a
state-of-the-art, evidence-informed and clinically-informed overview of
the examination and conservative management of hip/knee pain conditions.
Under the current predominantly evidence-based practice paradigm,
clinician expertise, patient preference, and best available research
determine examination, and prognostic and clinical management decisions.
However, this paradigm has been understood by many to place greater
value and emphasis on the research component, thereby devaluing the
other two. Evidence-informed practice is a term that has been suggested
to honor the original intent of evidence-based practice, while also
acknowledging the value of clinician experience and expertise. In
essence, evidence-informed practice combines clinical reasoning, based
on current best evidence, with authority-based knowledge and a
pathophysiological rationale derived from extrapolation of basic science
knowledge. Unlike other published textbooks that overemphasize the
research component in decision-making, this book aims to address the
clinical reality of having to make decisions on the management of a
patient with hip/knee pain, in the absence of a comprehensive scientific
rationale, using other sources of knowledge. It offers an
evidence-informed textbook that values equally research evidence,
clinician expertise and patient preference.
The book is edited by three recognised world leaders in clinical
research into manual therapy and chronic pain. Their research activities
are concentrated on the evidence-based management of musculoskeletal
pain conditions using conservative interventions. For this book they
have combined their knowledge and clinical expertise with that of 38
additional contributors, all specialists in the field The contributors
include a mix of clinicians and clinician-researchers.
Hip and Knee Pain Disorders is unique in bringing together manual
therapies and exercise programs in a multimodal approach to the
management of these pain conditions from both a clinical, but also
evidence-based, perspective. It acknowledges the expanding direct access
role of the physical therapy profession. The book provides an important
reference source for clinicians of all professions interested in
conservative management of the hip and knee regions. It will also be
useful as a textbook for students at both entry and post-graduate level.