This book is written with occupational therapy students in mind, as a
guide to newly qualified occupational therapists and for those returning
to work after a break in service. Over the years I have been asked many
times by newly appointed staffwhether I could recommend a book to
prepare them for working with orthopaedic patients. I hope this small
volume will fill the gap in the literature on the subject, and that it
will be useful as a quick reference book. I hope it mayaiso fall into
the hands ofthose in other disciplines and enable them to understand and
appreciate the contribution of the occupational therapist to the
rehabilitation team. This is the era ofjointreplacement, with
ever-increasing demand forprimary and revision surgery. Improved
implants and improved surgical techniques are constantly being
researched. Surgery for bone tumour is less mutilating and more hopeful
than ever before. Operations to release tendons and soft tissue
contractures, tendon transfers, osteotomies, spinal fusion, joint
fusion, etc. are performed on patients with neurological problems, thus
improving function and appearance and preventing further deformity.
These are some examples of procedures in this exciting and
fast-developing field, while hospital beds are occupied for an ever
shorter period of time and the potential for occupational therapy is
enormous. 'If surgery is to be successful, the importance of assessing
the patient as a human being cannot be over-emphasised' (Souter, 1987).
This is precisely the approach of the occupational therapist.
