I highly recommend Orthopedic Clinical Examination by Dr. Reiman.
Dr. Reiman was my musculoskeletal professor at the Duke University DPT program, and truly is an exemplemary role model for our profession.
It can be used to study for the OCS or SCS examination.
The book has been advocated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine Editor-in-Chief, Karim Kahn. @BJSM_BMJ
It is an exhaustive resource in the realm of orthopedics.
Click on book cover to learn more.

This is a great book to use to study for the OCS examination.
Dr. Boissonnault at one time was a test item writer for the OCS exam.
This book covers topics such as differential diagnosis, triage and examination for the primary care physical therapist.
Understanding these topics will ensure success on the OCS exam.
Click on book cover to learn more.

PT Ortho Questions is the only multiple choice practice test book on the market.
It’s great for practicing your test taking skills on OCS-like questions.
There are vignette OCS case style questions as well as single content questions.
Each questions is associated with a supporting article, so you can read the article of questions that you miss.
Click on book cover to learn more.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy Secrets has been a staple for studying for the OCS exam for several physical therapists over the years.
It is written in a question answer format and broken down into various musculoskeletal categories.
Click on book cover to learn more

If you started studying for the OCS exam early (prior to December), I would recommend reading this book.
Understanding of the neuroanatomy can really help on the OCS exam.
This book was written by Dr. Butler of the NOI group and can facilitate a clinicians learning of neurodynamics.
If you are short on time, I would recommend the books above over this one.

Fun Reading Recomendaitons:

If you’re anything like me, you feel bad for any moment spent not studying for the OCS exam. Especially in the months of January and February.

With that said, it is nice to take a break and read something other than one of the books mentioned above or a journal article.
The books below are loosely related to physical therapy and will give you a break form studying, while satisfying your need to not stop studying.

Beat the Reaper

This book was written by a physician named Josh Bazell while he was moonlighting.

It is a book detailing a physician’s run in with a mobster.
Also, there is a scene that described an auto fibulectomy and is written with plenty of anatomical type references.
One review says it best: Spattered in adrenaline-fueled action and bone-saw-sharp dialogue, BEAT THE REAPER is a debut thriller so utterly original you won’t be able to guess what happens next, and so shockingly entertaining you won’t be able to put it down.
I would agree. This is a great distraction from studying for the OCS, while satisfying your need to not stop studying.

Born to Run

This is a book that I am currently reading.
It highlights the adventures of a writer trying to figure out why his foot hurts.
It is amazing that this story is actually true, and details an amazing adventure.
It’s related to physical therapy, because in addition to getting several opinions from top sports medicine physicians, the author sees a physical therapist named Dr. Irene Davis, an expert in biomechanics and running injuries.
I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Irene Davis at the AAOMPT conference in Louisville.
Again, book is loosely related to physical therapy, but serves as a good break from the grind of studying for the OCS.

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