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Physiotherapy in the Pathology of the Locomotor System II

Code: 102981
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Physiotherapy OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Carlos López Perez
Email :
carlos.lopez.perez@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Alexandre Sala Carbonell
Oriol Martinez Picas

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have prior knowledge in Anatomy and Physiology of the musculoskeletal system, Foundations of Physiotherapy, Biophysics, Human Pathology, clinical assessment in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and Physiotherapy of the Musculoskeletal System I.

Objectives

The course is scheduled for the third year of the Bachelor's Degree in Physiotherapy and is part of the group of subjects related to musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

The competencies are:

  • To be able to develop the knowledge acquired in previous courses within the clinical setting for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
  • To be able to carry out a functional assessment of a person with musculoskeletal conditions and to elaborate a physiotherapy diagnosis.
  • To establish therapeutic goals and develop a physiotherapy care plan.
  • To apply different physiotherapy techniques and be able to analyze, adapt, and monitor outcomes.
  • To resolve clinical cases that are susceptible to physiotherapeutic treatment in the area of musculoskeletal disorders.

Learning outcomes

  1. Locate the different muscles through surface palpation.
  2. Describe and analyse human movement.
  3. Identify the physiological and structural changes that may occur as a result of physiotherapy intervention in disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  4. Apply physiotherapy methods, procedures and interventions in the different clinical specialisations that treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system.
  5. Apply specific physiotherapy methods to promote a healthy lifestyle, in relation to the musculoskeletal system, through health education.
  6. Use physiotherapy to treat clinical cases involving musculoskeletal system conditions.
  7. Describe and apply advanced evaluation procedures in physiotherapy in order to determine the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system and possible functional repercussions.
  8. Establish diagnostic physiotherapy hypotheses through clinical cases with disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  9. Define general and specific objectives when using physiotherapy treatment for disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  10. Describe the circumstances that can influence priorities when using physiotherapy to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  11. Enumerate the different types of of material and apparatus for using physiotherapy to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  12. Describe and analyse the evidence-based physiotherapy protocols for disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  13. Describe clinical practice guidelines applied to disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  14. Analyse and synthesise.
  15. Organise and plan.
  16. Express ideas fluently, coherently and correctly, both orally and in writing.
  17. Solve problems.
  18. Make the most correct decisions in given situations.
  19. Display critical reasoning skills.
  20. Identify situations in which a change or improvement is needed.
  21. Analyse a situation and identify its points for improvement.
  22. Propose new methods or well-founded alternative solutions.
  23. Weigh up the risks and opportunities of suggestions for improvement: one's own and those of others.
  24. Propose new ways to measure success or failure when implementing innovative proposals or ideas.
  25. Identify the social, economic and environmental implications of academic and professional activities within one?s own area of knowledge.
  26. Critically analyse the principles, values and procedures that govern the exercise of the profession.
  27. Consider how gender stereotypes and roles impinge on the exercise of the profession.
  28. Communicate using language that is not sexist.
  29. Identify the principal forms of sex- or gender-based inequality present in society.
  30. Weigh up the impact of any long- or short-term difficulty, harm or discrimination that could be caused to certain persons or groups by the actions or projects.

Contents

TOPIC 1: GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE SUBJECT (Carlos López/all)
Foundations and core concepts of the discipline. General overview of the subject.
Proposed objectives.
Presentation of the syllabus, guide, type of assessment, groups and seminars.


TOPIC 2: PHYSIOTHERAPY IN SHOULDER GIRDLE PATHOLOGY



  • Neural component (Alex Sala)

  • Anatomy and biomechanics of the shoulder girdle (Carlos López)

  • Clinical examination of the shoulder girdle and clinical orientation (Carlos López)

  • Physiotherapy in traumatic conditions: scapula, humerus, clavicle (Carlos López)

  • Ligament injuries: instabilities, dislocations and subluxations GH and AC (Oriol Martinez)

  • Tendon and soft tissue injuries: rotator cuff, adhesive capsulitis, capsular retraction (Carlos López)

  • Introduction to myofascial pain syndrome: rotator cuff, deltoid, trapezius, rhomboid major and minor, pectoralis major and minor (Alex Sala)


Seminars: Specific evaluation of the glenohumeral and scapular joint. Manual therapy, global and proprioceptive work of the shoulder girdle, functional taping. Clinical reasoning and case discussions.


TOPIC 3: PHYSIOTHERAPY IN ELBOW PATHOLOGY



  • Anatomy and biomechanics of the elbow (Carlos López)

  • Clinical examination and orientation (Carlos López)

  • Physiotherapy in traumatic conditions: proximal ulna and radius, distal third of the humerus (Oriol Martinez)

  • Ligament injuries and instabilities: posterolateral dislocation of the elbow (Oriol Martinez)


Seminars: Specific elbow assessment. Tendon and soft tissue injuries: myofascial pain syndrome (biceps, triceps, anconeus, brachialis, brachioradialis), epicondylalgia, and bursitis. Clinical reasoning and proprioceptive work, functional taping.


TOPIC 4: PHYSIOTHERAPY IN FOREARM AND WRIST PATHOLOGY



  • Anatomy and biomechanics of the forearm and wrist (Carlos López)

  • Clinical examination and orientation (Carlos López)

  • Physiotherapy in traumatic injuries: shaft and distal radius/ulna, carpal bones (Carlos López)

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome (Alex Sala)

  • Tendon and soft tissue injuries of the wrist and hand (Alex Sala)

  • Ligament injuries and instabilities: CID, CIND, CIC, CIA. Proprioceptive work of the forearm and wrist (Alex Sala)


Seminars: Clinical cases and reasoning in wrist injuries. Myofascial pain syndrome: extensor, flexor, pronator and supinator muscles. Functional taping of wrist and hand.


TOPIC 5: PHYSIOTHERAPY IN HAND PATHOLOGY



  • Anatomy and biomechanics of the hand (Oriol Martinez)

  • Clinical examination and orientation (Oriol Martinez)

  • Physiotherapy in traumatic conditions: metacarpals and phalanges (Carlos López)

  • Tendon injuries: Dupuytren’s disease, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, extensor and flexor tendon injuries (Oriol Martinez)

  • Soft tissue injuries: capsulitis and sprains. Proprioceptive work of the hand (Oriol Martinez)


Seminars: Manual therapy of the hand and palpation of muscle belly and tendons. Functional taping.


TOPIC 6: PHYSIOTHERAPY IN DEGENERATIVE PATHOLOGY



  • Degenerative process: arthritis and osteoarthritis. Signs and symptoms. Conservative physiotherapy treatment (Alex Sala)

  • Post-surgical physiotherapy: shoulder, elbow and finger arthroplasties. Proprioceptive work (Carlos López)

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
LABORATORY PRACTICES (PLAB) 18 0.72 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 26, 29, 30
WORK PREPARATION 35 1.4 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30
PRESENTATION ORAL OR WRITTEN DEFENSE CLINICAL CASE 15 0.6 6, 14, 15, 16, 19, 28
SELF STUDY 25.5 1.02 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27
READING ARTICLES AND REPORTS OF INTEREST 28 1.12 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 27
THEORY (TE) 27 1.08 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30

The course is delivered through theoretical lectures, practical seminars, case-based learning, and clinical reasoning activities aimed at decision-making in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

The integration of scientific evidence, differential diagnosis, clinical reasoning, and shared decision-making with patients is encouraged, promoting active learning focused on professional practice.

  • Global assessment of the upper limb: patient history, physical examination, and complementary diagnostic tests (X-ray and CT scan).
  • Differential diagnosis in shoulder pathology: instability, tendinopathy, adhesive capsulitis, and central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorders.
  • Management of patients with osteoarticular disorders.
  • Management of patients undergoing shoulder, elbow, and finger arthroplasties.
  • Manual therapy techniques for the upper limb.
  • Muscle strengthening and proprioceptive retraining techniques.
  • Muscle stretching techniques.
  • Introduction to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS): assessment and conservative treatment.
  • Functional taping techniques.


Teaching will incorporate a gender perspective through the analysis of epidemiological, clinical, and treatment-response differences in various musculoskeletal disorders, as well as reflection on potential diagnostic and therapeutic biases within musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

  • Clinical cases, teaching examples, and learning activities will incorporate, whenever appropriate, sex and gender diversity in order to promote more equitable and evidence-based clinical practice.
Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
PRACTICAL TYPE EVALUATION: OBJECTIVE AND STRUCTURED CLINICAL EVALUATION 40% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
CLINICAL CASE PRESENTATION (Groups) 10% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
WRITTEN EVALUATION THROUGH OBJECTIVE TESTS: TEST 50% 1.5 0.06 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

The assessment of the course consists of three compulsory activities:

1. Written assessment through a multiple-choice examination (50%)

This assessment consists of a written examination comprising 40 multiple-choice questions related to the content covered in lectures and seminars. Each question includes four possible answers, of which only one is correct. Incorrect answers will be penalized by 0.33 points.


2. Practical assessment through an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (40%)

Students will be required to apply clinical reasoning and perform a practical simulation involving the assessment and physiotherapy treatment of a clinical case related to the course content.


3. Group presentation of a clinical case (10%)

Students, working in groups, will be required to solve and present a clinical case based on a literature review and a critical analysis of the available scientific evidence.


Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • In this course, the use of artificial intelligence tools is permitted exclusively as support for translating scientific texts or teaching materials and for facilitating the understanding of content written in other languages.
  • The use of AI is not permitted for solving clinical cases, establishing physiotherapy diagnoses, developing clinical reasoning, making therapeutic decisions, or generating, either partially or entirely, assignments or assessment activities.
  • Whenever an artificial intelligence tool has been used in any activity, students must explicitly declare it, specifying the tool used, the purpose of its use, and the degree of AI involvement in the submitted work. Failure to provide this declaration may be considered academic misconduct in accordance with current UAB regulations.


Additional considerations

  • Attendance at practical seminars (PLAB) is compulsory. In order to be eligible for assessment, students must attend at least 80% of the scheduled practical seminars.
  • To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 in each assessment activity. The final course grade will only be calculated when this minimum grade has been achieved in all compulsory assessment activities.
  • Students who fail the written multiple-choice examination may take a resit examination. The maximum grade that can be obtained after resit assessment will be 5.0 (Pass).
  • Students who fail the practical assessment may take a resit assessment of similar characteristics. The maximum grade that can be obtained after resit assessment will be 5.0 (Pass).
  • Students who fail the group clinical case presentation may complete an oral or written resit activity, as determined by the teaching staff. The maximum grade that can be obtained after resit assessment will be 5.0 (Pass).
  • Non-assessable: A student will be considered Non-assessable if they do not attend the theoretical and practical assessment activities or fail to provide sufficient evidence of continuous assessment according to the criteria established in the course, including the minimum attendance required for practical seminars and the completion of compulsory assessment activities.
  • The final grade for the course will be expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 10, with one decimal place, in accordance with current UAB regulations.
  • The review procedure for assessment activities will comply with current UAB academic regulations. Reviews will be conducted individually, upon student request, within the established deadlines.

Bibliography

Books

  • Peterson F, Kendall E, Geise P. Músculos: pruebas, funciones y dolor postural. Madrid: Marbán; 2000.
  • Kendall FP. Músculos: pruebas y funciones. 5ª ed. Madrid: Marbán; 2007.
  • Chael C. Anatomía funcional: estructura, función y palpación del aparato locomotor para terapeutas manuales. 1ª ed. Buenos Aires: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2013.
  • Sahrmann SA. Diagnóstico y tratamiento de las alteraciones del movimiento. Barcelona: Paidotribo; 2006.
  • Mayoral O. Fisioterapia invasiva del síndrome de dolor miofascial. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2017.
  • Kapandji IA. Fisiología articular. Vol. 1: Miembro superior. 6ª ed. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2006.
  • Travell JG, Simons DG. Dolor y disfunción miofascial. Vol. 1: Parte superior del cuerpo. 2ª ed. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2002.
  • Busquet L. Las cadenas musculares. Tomo 1. 3ª ed. Barcelona: Paidotribo; 1998.
  • Buckup K. Pruebas clínicas para patología ósea, articular y muscular: exploraciones, signos y síntomas. Barcelona: Masson; 2000.
  • Frisch H. Método de exploración del aparato locomotor y la postura. Barcelona: Paidotribo; 2005.
  • Rockwood CA, Green DP. Fracturas en el adulto. 5ª ed. Madrid: Marbán; 2003.
  • Hoppenfeld S, Murthy VL. Fracturas: tratamiento y rehabilitación. Madrid: Marbán; 2001.
  • Helms CA. Fundamentos de radiología del esqueleto. 3ª ed. Madrid: Marbán; 2006.
  • Neiger H. Estiramientos analíticos manuales. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2004.
  • Calais-Germain B. Anatomía para el movimiento. Tomo 1. Barcelona: Los Libros de la Liebre de Marzo; 1994.
  • Fucci S, Benigni M, Fornasari V. Biomecánica del aparatolocomotor aplicada al acondicionamiento muscular. Barcelona: Mosby/Doyma Libros; 1995.
  • Mora Amérigo E, De Rosa R. Fisioterapia en el aparato locomotor. Madrid: Síntesis; 1998.
  • Kottke FJ, Lehmann JF, Krusen FH. Medicina física y rehabilitación. Tomos I-III. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana.
  • David C, Lloyd J. Rehabilitación reumatológica. Madrid: Harcourt; 2000.
  • Quesnot J. Rehabilitación del miembro superior. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2010.
  • Martínez Gil JL, Martínez Cañadas J, Fuster Antón I. Lesiones en el hombro y fisioterapia. Madrid: Arán Ediciones; 2006.
  • Bové T. El vendaje funcional. 4ª ed. Madrid: Elsevier; 2005.
  • Sijmonsma J. Manual Taping Neuro Muscular. 2ª ed. Cascais: Aneid Press; 2007.
  • Campignion P. Respir-acciones. Alicante: Lencina-Verdú Editores Independientes; 2008.

Scientific journals and articles

  • Cook JL, Purdam CR. The continuum model of tendon pathology. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(6):409–416.
  • Rio E, Kidgell D, Purdam C, Gaida J, Moseley GL, Cook J. Isometric exercise induces analgesia and reduces inhibition in patellar tendinopathy. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(19):1277–1283.
  • Lewis JS. Rotator cuff tendinopathy: a model for the continuum of pathology and clinical management. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(13):918–923.
  • Littlewood C, Malliaras P, Mawson S, May S, Walters S. Self-managed loaded exercise versus usual physiotherapy treatment for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A pilot RCT. Physiotherapy. 2013;99(2):135–140.
  • Jaggi A, Lambert S. Rehabilitation for shoulder instability - current approaches. Shoulder & Elbow. 2010;2(4):218–226.
  • Thomas SJ, Haigh R, Harris S, et al. Frozen shoulder: A consensus definition and review of current management. JSES Int. 2021;5(5):898–908.
  • Lewis JS. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain: Assessment, management and uncertainties. Manual Therapy. 2016.
  • Cools AM, et al. Rehabilitation of scapular dyskinesis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014.
  • Kibler WB, Sciascia A. Current concepts: scapular dyskinesis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2010.
  • Littlewood C, Bateman M, Connor C. Physiotherapist-led exercise interventions for rotator cuff disorders. JOSPT. 2023.
  • Whittaker JL, Ellis R, Hodges PW, et al. Imaging in musculoskeletal practice. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019.
  • Cook JL, Rio E, Purdam C, Docking SI. Revisiting the continuum model of tendon pathology. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016.
  • Côté P, et al. Management of neck pain and associated disorders. JOSPT Clinical Practice Guidelines. 2017.
  • American Physical Therapy Association. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders.
  • Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT).
  • British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM).
  • Annales Kinésithérapie.
  • Fisioteràpia i Qualitat de Vida.
  • Physical Therapy.
  • Physiotherapy.


Multimedia and digital resources

  • Physiopedia – Plataforma colaborativa basada en evidencia para fisioterapeutas. https://www.physio-pedia.com
  • Physiotutors – Videos clínicos explicativos con alta calidad y base científica. https://www.physiotutors.com
  • ClinicalEdge – Seminarios online actualizados para fisioterapeutas. https://www.clinicaledge.co
  • British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM). https://bjsm.bmj.com
  • Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). https://www.jospt.org
  • Apps educativas recomendadas: Muscle Premium, Complete Anatomy.
  • Sitios web y blogs de educación sobre dolor musculoesquelético: PainScience.com

Software

No software or other application is needed

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 201 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 201 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 202 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 203 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon