Orthopedic manual therapy--an overview. Part I: the extremities.

Part 1 of an introductory overview of orthopedic manual therapy is presented, covering evaluation and treatment of the extremities. The first section defines introductory concepts about passive movement, including types of movement, limitations of movement, and types of treatment movements. The remaining four sections cover general concepts, evaluation schemes, and treatment procedures of four practitioners belonging to different schools of thought in orthopedic manual therapy: James Cyriax, MD, MRCP; Freddy Kaltenborn, DO, RPT; Geoffrey Maitland, MAPA, FCSP; and John McM Mennell, MD. The conclusion stresses the importance of developing skills in evaluation, as well as treatment, prior to practicing orthopedic manual therapy.