Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHT2010

 
TITLE Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 1

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Physiotherapy

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces students to the fundamentals of musculoskeletal physiotherapy theory and practice, and expands on various topics including orthopaedics & rheumatology, othopaedic surgery, sports injuries, peripheral immobilisations (i.e. bandaging and taping techniques) and peripheral nerve and spinal injuries to deepen the knowledge acquired. It entails a mixture of lectures and practical sessions and links to PHT3010.

Study-Unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to encourage the acquisition of knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

The study-unit will seek to provide students with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals for:
- Recognising, assessing and managing a person suffering from any musculoskeletal injury;
- Managing a patient admitted to either an in-patient, or out-patient setting in an ethical and professional manner and with effective communication.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the aetiology, pathology, clinical features, complications and prognosis of various musculoskeletal conditions;
- Be conversant with the pathology, pathophysiology and various treatment disciplines available for all fractures of the upper and lower limbs;
- Describe the mechanism of injury and pathological changes which occur in a prolapsed intervertebral disc;
- Describe the common deformities of the spinal column and limb;
- Outline the causes and pathological changes which occur in diseases of bone;
- Describe the principles of management of prolapsed intervertebral disc, spinal deformities and diseases of bone;
- Assess, select and apply physiotherapy measures during immobilisation and rehabilitation of the above conditions;
- Comprehend the physiological, biomechanical, social and psychological aspects within sports injuries and the management thereof.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Examine and assess a patient with a peripheral nervous system deficit;
- Formulate a treatment programme from the presenting clinical features;
- Formulate and manage a programme of physiotherapy intervention;
- Recognise and evaluate clinical variations presented by a patient and review treatment objectives;
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care;
- Interpret the indications for prescription and use of wheelchairs;
- Apply various techniques of bandaging and taping;
- Assess an athlete for muscle imbalances;
- Perform a basic assessment of sports injuries.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- BARTLEY, R., 2004. Physiotherapy compared with advice for low back pain:... but at no point compared physiotherapy with chiropractic. BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 329, no. 7479, pp. 1402.
- BEAULIEU, P., LUSSIER, D., PORRECA, F. and DICKENSON, A., 2010. Pharmacology of pain.
- BRANT, W.E. and HELMS, C.A., 2012. Fundamentals of diagnostic radiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- BUTLER, D.S., MATHESON, J. and BOYACI, A., 2000. The sensitive nervous system. Noigroup publications Adelaide, Australia.
- DOHERTY, D., 2004. Physiotherapy compared with advice for low back pain: Study supports concept of self management of pain... BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 329, no. 7479, pp. 1402.
- HENGEVELD, E. and BANKS, K., 2005. Maitland's peripheral manipulation. Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann.
- JACOBSON, J.A., 2012. Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Expert Consult-Online. Elsevier Health Sciences.
- KENDALL, F., MCCREARY, E., PROVANCE, P., RODGERS, M. and ROMANI, W., 2005. Muscles: Testing and function, with posture and pain: Includes a bonus primal anatomy. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, vol. 5, pp. 158.

Supplementary Readings:

- BUTLER, D.S., MOSELEY, G.L. and Sunyata., 2003. Explain pain. Noigroup Publications Australia.
- CENTER, M.P., 2011. Pharmacology of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes. Pain Physician, vol. 14, pp. E343-E360.
- CLELAND, J., 2005. Orthopaedic clinical examination: an evidence-based approach for physical therapists. WB Saunders Co.
- CLELAND, J.A., CHILDS, J.D. and WHITMAN, J.M., 2008. Psychometric properties of the Neck Disability Index and Numeric Pain Rating Scale in patients with mechanical neck pain. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 89, no. 1, pp. 69-74.
- COOK, G., 2010. Movement: Functional movement systems: screening, assessment, corrective strategies. On Target Publications.
- LEVANGIE, P.K. and NORKIN, C.C., 2011. Joint structure and function: a comprehensive analysis. FA Davis.
- MAGEE, D.J., 2014. Orthopedic physical assessment. Elsevier Health Science.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study, Practicum & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Competencies SEM2 Yes 30%
Examination (1 Hour) SEM1 Yes 35%
Examination (1 Hour and 30 Minutes) SEM2 Yes 35%

 
LECTURER/S Tonio P. Agius
Simon Gouder
John Xerri De Caro

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit