POD5103 · Musculoskeletal podiatry

Overview

Podiatrists manage a range of musculoskeletal conditions affecting the lower limb, from acute ankle sprains to chronic osteoarthritic presentations. This unit is designed to develop your understanding of the musculoskeletal structure of the lower limb to allow you to evaluate and manage a range of conditions that will present in a podiatric clinical setting. You will also be exposed to inter-disciplinary practice and learn how to work in a culturally sensitive and safe manner. You will develop an understanding of the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limb, and the physiological changes across the lifespan via a series of lectures and tutorials. This hands-on unit will include practical sessions where you will perform a range of biomechanical assessments of the lower limb in a simulated setting and be able to diagnose and treat a range of pathological musculoskeletal conditions affecting the foot. You will also use a range of video gait analysis software and force pressure measurement systems to visualise kinematic and kinetic concepts involved in gait analysis. A variety of workshops will expose you to various injury prevention and rehabilitation products, and pharmacological therapies relevant to the management of your client. This unit will highlight the role of the podiatrist as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will also use evidence-based practice in the decision-making process of managing a client with musculoskeletal conditions in the lower limb.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the normal anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and how it changes across the life span;
2. Critically evaluate the risk factors, clinical features and pathological processes of a range of musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limb;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of biomechanical theories and apply them to relevant musculoskeletal and biomechanical assessments of the lower limb;
4. Describe the gait cycle, and related kinematic and kinetic biomechanical concepts;
5. Demonstrate beginner level competency in podiatric biomechanical assessments and gait analyses;
6. Critically analyse clinical cases and synthesise appropriate short- and long-term management plans for a range of musculoskeletal conditions in the lower limb across the lifespan;
7. Provide comprehensive verbal and written communication with clients and to other health professionals to optimize client-centred care and interprofessional management;
8. Provide a range of management options to prevent and manage musculoskeletal conditions in the lower limb, including pharmacological therapies, soft tissue therapies, exercise, orthomechanical therapies and related technologies;
9. Appraise the principles of inclusive, and culturally safe podiatry practice and apply it in a multidisciplinary clinical setting;
10. Implement evidence-based practice in the management of the client with musculoskeletal conditions in the lower limb.

Workload

The average time required for the dedicated contact hours and private study hours is equivalent to 24 hours per week during a regular semester. There will be 12 hours of on-campus directed learning and 12 hours of self-directed learning per week. You may also be required to spend up to 8 hours at an industry-based site.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.