ORTHOPAEDIC MEDICINE is a method of clinical examination, diagnosis and treatment of non-surgical musculoskeletal lesions commonly seen in primary care.

This practical course is open to doctors and physiotherapists who wish to improve their knowledge of applied anatomy, clinical assessment, differential diagnosis and effective treatment using mobilisation, manipulation, frictions and injection therapy techniques.

Fifty percent of course time is “hands-on” in small groups with individual tuition by qualified instructors. Participants are expected to practise on each other and should wear appropriate casual clothing.

AIMS

  • To further the clinician’s understanding of functional biomechanics, anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system, in the light of current research.
  • To develop analytical skill in the assessment of musculoskeletal disorders and their underlying pathology.
  • To enhance the therapist’s diagnostic and clinical reasoning knowledge
  • To allow critical use of the newly acquired expertise in order to formulate appropriate and effective treatment regimes.
  • To encourage constant evaluation of treatment regimes.
  • To introduce complex skills, including manipulation and injection protocols, which will require critical analysis and evaluation of patient response.
  • To foster inter-professional understanding, relationships and communication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of the course participants will be able to:

  • Show that they have developed their ability to apply functional biomechanics in assessment.
  • Demonstrate that they have investigated and can apply competent assessment of increasingly complex disorders.
  • Show that they have established a reasoned diagnostic approach.
  • Use their enhanced expertise to direct treatment to the exact site of the lesion.
  • Demonstrate competency in manual therapy.
  • Show evidence of critical evaluation of the effects of treatment.
  • Devise and develop treatment programmes in the light of new evidence.
  • Demonstrate competence in the review and evaluation of treatment programmes.

PERIPHERAL MODULE two units of 16 hours each:

  • Upper limb functional anatomy, clinical assessment and treatment
  • Lower limb functional anatomy, clinical assessment and treatment.
  • Peripheral examination:
    1 hour true/false paper
    20 minute practical
    10 minute workstations x 2

SPINAL MODULE one unit of 24 hours

  • Spinal functional and pathological anatomy, clinical assessment and introduction to spinal manipulation

ADVANCED MODULE consisting of one unit of 24 hours which is open only to graduates of the periphal and spinal modules.

  • Review
  • Advanced spinal and peripheral techniques
  • In depth clinical reasoning
  • Practical differential diagnosis
  • Diploma in Orthopaedic Medicine examination:

    • 1 hour true/false paper
    20 minute practical
    10 minute workstations x 2


pre-course reading

  • Colour Atlas of Human Anatomy: McMinn & Hutchings. Mosby
  • Orthopaedic Physical Assessment: Magee. Saunders
  • Pathology Illustrated. Govan et al. Churchill Livingstone
  • Atlas of Orthopaedic Examination of the Peripheral Joints. Ombregt and Bisschop, Saunders.

Instructors are all Fellows in Orthopaedic Medicine led by Stephanie Saunders FCSP, who trained at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, and worked with Dr James Cyriax for many years.




Orthopaedic Medicine Seminars - Diploma in Orthopaedic Medicine - Diploma in Injection Therapy
Stephanie Saunders - Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Fellow of the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine