Early Pt: Knee

Designed by physical therapists, the Early PT series, which also includes tapes on the shoulder, ankle, and elbow, is a professionally made exercise series targeted at individuals who are recovering from surgery, often from a sports-related accident. Originally designed to give physical therapists a tool that would help their patients, the PT series is geared toward the patient, not the therapist. In Early Pt: Knee, a male and female model demonstrate the movements for a series of exercises, including leg isometrics, leg raises, ankle flexion, back strengthening, and cool down stretches, while voiceover narration describes both the exercise and the benefits to be gained from doing it. This 10-minute section is followed by the actual workout in real time. A "control chart" is included with the tape which allows patients to record their progress. It's referred to in the program, but it's also very short and simple, and unnecessary. Public libraries with substantial sports medicine collections may want to consider this and the other tapes in the series. Recommended. (Available from: MCF Corporation, P.O. Box 17805, 7660 Valmont Rd., Boulder, CO 80308-9909.)