Rehabilitation Medicine

Nerve Repair summarizes the basic and clinical science pertaining to the repair and regeneration of peripheral nerves. Although these nerves are able to regenerate after injury, functional restoration is usually limited. Improving the outcome of nerve repair will require close cooperation between surgeon and scientist. Skyrocketing clinical demands on the surgeon and the rapidly increasing sophistication of neuroscience have interacted to form two distinct cultures. Nerve Repair was written to bridge these cultures by providing a translational review of the clinical and basic science relevant to nerve repair. It provides the clinician with an understanding of pertinent research, and the basic scientist with an overview of the clinical manifestations of nerve injury and regeneration. Nerve Repair is grounded in the history of peripheral nerve surgery and biology, so that modern concepts can be understood in the context of their origins. If there is a dominant theme, it is that neural organization is critical to function. In the periphery, axons must not only regenerate, they must also restore connections with functionally appropriate end organs. In the brain, normal functional patterns will determine the potential for compensation after peripheral miswiring. Given the propensity for axonal misdirection at the site of nerve repair and the constrained flexibility of the brain, enhancing the specificity of nerve regeneration is a critical goal for future research.Less

This is a comprehensive reference suitable for the whole rehabilitation team, that summarises the management of common symptoms and disorders, and also outlines the increasing evidence base for the efficacy of these techniques.Less

Spinal disorders, especially back pain, are frequent yet challenging for physicians to manage. While most texts are highly subspecialized or focus on only surgical intervention, The Spine Handbook provides a thorough overview, covering the entire spine, of interdisciplinary treatment of common spinal conditions. Sections build from the foundations of history and examination, radiologic imaging, and behavioral assessment through the core topics of both interventional and surgical options, as well as exploring emerging and special conditions and neuromodulation. Chapters are written by experts from a wide array of fields, including physical therapists, radiologists, psychologists, physiatrists, anesthesiologists, orthopedic spine surgeons, and neurosurgeons. This comprehensive handbook provides the fundamental diagnostic and therapeutic information needed to effectively deliver best-practice care for spinal disorders, making it an ideal reference for physicians of any training level who may encounter or treat spinal disorders.Less