Units / PTY5107
PTY5107 · Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
2026 Handbook12 credit pointsLevel 5Department of Physiotherapy
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit will focus on the knowledge and skills required for physiotherapy assessment and management of clients with musculoskeletal conditions. The theoretical features of pathology and pathophysiology are applied to musculoskeletal conditions involving the spine, upper limb and lower limb. The legal and ethical concepts of clinical practice are introduced, in addition to strategies to identify risk to self and others. Knowledge of the science of pain and person-centred strategies for management of pain are applied to clinical cases and contemporary theories of learning introduced. Preparation activities precede weekly practical, skills and simulation sessions. Clinical application is introduced in a case based learning format. Weekly practical sessions and simulation sessions ensure there are multiple opportunities for skills practice and feedback. Additional theoretical content is covered in interactive lectures, workshops and tutorials.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Peninsula | Second semester | Activities scheduled as a mix of on-campus and online activities (BLENDED) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional Practice Portfolio (1500 words and three video submissions) | Portfolio | 20% | Competency |
| 2 | Case-based learning (CBL) performance (12 written learning issues of approximately 300 words each) | Project | 20% | Competency |
| 3 | Application of Knowledge - musculoskeletal physio theory (2x45 mins tests + 2 hr 10 mins exam) | Examination | 30% | Competency |
| 4 | Objective Structured Clinical Examination (48 minutes including reading time) | Demonstration | 30% | Competency |
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
corequisite
- PTY5106 — Foundations of physiotherapy
Learning outcomes
- Apply legal and ethical concepts to healthcare practice.
- Employ reflection and self-evaluation to support the development of professional skills as a beginning-level practitioner.
- Appraise and apply effective communication strategies with clients and colleagues in a simulated clinical environment.
- Implement risk minimisation strategies ensuring safe physiotherapy practice for self and others.
- Synthesise knowledge of pathophysiology, biomechanics and anatomy to perform evidence-informed musculoskeletal assessment and management.
- Apply principles of pain science in the assessment and management of person-centred physiotherapy practice.
- Exhibit evidence based clinical reasoning in the management of clients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Workload
6-7 hours of lectures and seminars, 8-9 hours of tutorials including case-based learning, clinical skills and simulation sessions, and 10 hours of self-directed activity expected each week
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Assessments | — |
| Tutorials | 132 hours |
| Lectures | — |
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