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Clinical Assessment in Physiotherapy of the Locomotor System

Code: 102985
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Physiotherapy OB 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Hector Corominas Macias
Email :
hector.corominas@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Carlos López Perez
Patricia Moya Alvarado
Julia Bernardez Moreno

Group languages

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

Prerequisites

It is necessary that the student has acquired the knowledge and basic competences of the subjects of Human Anatomy and Biomechanics, taught in first.


It is also convenient to have acquired the knowledge and basic competences in the subject of Human Psychology.

Objectives

The general objectives of the subject include the evaluation of the locomotor system from the clinical data obtained from the anamnesis, inspection and physical examination, based on the definition of normality or abnormality parameters, which allow to elaborate a first diagnostic approach and a therapeutic orientation.


The entire subject takes into account the gender perspective and the use of non-sexist language.

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

TitleMain Learning Objectives
Introduction to the Clinical Assessment of the Musculoskeletal System Understand the purpose of clinical assessment within the healthcare process. Introduce the concept of clinical reasoning. Listen → Observe → Examine → Interpret → Formulate hypotheses → Make decisions.
Systematic Approach to Clinical Assessment Learn a structured sequence for clinical assessment: history taking, inspection, palpation, mobility assessment, physical examination, and complementary tests. Develop a systematic and efficient examination approach.
The Patient in Context: Clinical Interview and the Biopsychosocial Model Understand the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors on pain and disability. Develop clinical communication skills and identify relevant contextual factors.
Clinical Biomechanics Applied to Assessment Relate structure to function. Understand the basic biomechanical principles of movement and interpret functional impairments from a clinical perspective.
Pain, Sensory Examination, and Basic Neurological Assessment Differentiate the main mechanisms of pain. Assess sensory function and perform a basic neurological examination. Recognize signs suggestive of neurological involvement.
Functional Assessment: Posture, Gait, and Movement Analysis Systematically assess posture, gait, and movement. Identify functional impairments and relate them to the patient's symptoms.
Clinical Interpretation of the Physical Examination: From Findings to Clinical Reasoning Learn to interpret the main signs and symptoms identified during the physical examination, distinguishing clinically relevant findings from normal variations. Understand the relationship between examination findings, diagnostic hypotheses, and clinical decision-making. Develop a critical approach to examination findings, avoiding oversimplified interpretations and premature conclusions.
Imaging and Complementary Tests: When Do They Add Value? Understand the main imaging techniques, their indications, and limitations. Integrate complementary tests into the clinical reasoning process.
Clinical Assessment of the Spine Perform a systematic examination of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Recognize the main clinical patterns and select the most appropriate assessment tests.
Integrated Clinical Assessment of the Upper Limb Perform a comprehensive assessment of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Prioritize functional assessment and integrate findings into the clinical reasoning process.
Integrated Clinical Assessment of the Lower Limb Perform a systematic assessment of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
Differential Diagnosis and Red Flags in Physiotherapy Differentiate mechanical, inflammatory, neuropathic, and referred pain. Identify red flags and referral criteria. Recognize situations that require medical assessment.


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
PERSONAL STUDY 22.42 0.897
READING ARTICLES 30 1.2
CLASSROOM PRACTICES 9 0.36
PLABs 10 0.4
THEORY 26 1.04
Guided activity 0.5 0.02
READING ARTICLES /REPORTS OF INTEREST 50 2

1. The theoretical classes will be face-to-face and the following work methodology is proposed: duration 2 hours with a mixed format of theory, resolution of doubts, kahoots and clinical cases.

2. The practices, will be given by the physiotherapist Carlos López and will develop in the classrooms of practices, in accordance with the established calendar and the measures of hygiene imposed by the University in relation to the covid19

It should be remembered that this guide may be subject to change after publication, depending on the events related to the coronavirus pandemic.


***Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (including academic misconduct, plagiarism, or the improper use of artificial intelligence, unless such use is explicitly authorized in the course syllabus) that may result in a significant alteration of the assessment outcome will lead to a grade of 0 for that assessment. If the course syllabus specifies that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment is a mandatory requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, any student who commits such irregularities may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.


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 through objective and structured clinical evaluation 40% 1 0.04 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
Class participation 10% 0 0 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 15, 19, 21, 27, 28, 29
Written evaluation through objective tests: clinical cases 50% 1.08 0.043 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

Single assessment

This subject does not provide for the single assessment system.

Assessment:

The exam will be divided into two tests:

Written test: 50 questions that can be multiple-choice, clinical cases and/or image tests.


Practical exam: It consists of (1) case evaluation simulation where the student must demonstrate communication skills with the patient, clinical reasoning, selection of appropriate objective maneuvers and execution of the same.


Class participation will be assessed based on students' contributions to solving the problems discussed in class.


The maximum scores that can be obtained from each exam are:

Written test – 6 points

Practical exam – 4 points

Class participation – 1 point

The final grade for the subject will be the sum of the grades of each exam (written + practical).

In order to add up the scores, it is necessary to achieve at least 50% of the final grade of the written test and at least 50% of the practical part.

If this minimum is not achieved in either of the two tests, the summation will not be made and the subject will be recorded as failed.

The subject will be considered passed with a score equal to or greater than 5 points and failed with a score equal to or less than 4.9 points.

Students who have not passed the subject may take a retake test, which will be held on the official date of the corresponding month.

Students who have not taken either of the two evaluation tests will not be entitled to the retake test.

Students who have failed (final score equal to or less than 4.9) must only take the failed part (theoretical and/or practical).


In this case, there will only be two possible grades, which will be recorded in the final report:


– Passed (equal to or greater than 5 points)

– Failed (equal to or less than 4.9 points).



Exame Dates


- EXAM PLAB: 11.12.26

- TEORIC EXAM 21.12.26



***Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (including academic misconduct, plagiarism, or the improper use of artificial intelligence, unless such use is explicitly authorized in the course syllabus) that may result in a significant alteration of the assessment outcome will lead to a grade of 0 for that assessment. If the course syllabus specifies that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment is a mandatory requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, any student who commits such irregularities may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Bibliography

1- EXPLORACIÓN CLÍNICA PRÁCTICA. Noguer-Balcells. 28 edd. Elsevier. 2016

2- FISIOTERAPIA DEL APARATO LOCOMOTOR. Estructuras, funciones, medidas de actuación sobre afecciones. Editorial Ploke-Reichel. 2007

3- EVOLUCIÓN HUMANA. Roger Lewin. Salvat-Editores 2000.

4- EXPLORACIÓN FÍSICA DE LA COLUMNA VERTEBRAL Y LAS EXTREMIDADES. Stanley Hoppenfeld. 1979

5- DIAGNOSTICO FISOTERÁPICO. CONCEPCIÓN, REALIZACIÓN, APLICACIÓN EN LA PRÁCTICA LIBRE Y HOSPITALARIA. Éric Viel. ED. Masson- 2006

6- TÉCNICAS DE BALANCE MUSCULAR. Daniel's y Wothingham Ed. Elsevier. 2014

7- PRUEBAS CLINICAS PARA PATOLOGIA OSEA, ARTICULAR Y MUSCULAR. K.Buckup. ED. Masson. 2013

8- PROCESO EVALUATIVO MUSCULOESQUELÉTICO. Hazel M.Clarkson. Ed. Paidotribo. 2003

9.- THE MUSCLE AND BONE PALPATION MANUAL. Joseph E. Muscolino. Mosby Elsevier 2008

10.- MANUAL DE PRUEBAS DIAGNÓSTICAS. TRAUMATOLOGÍA Y ORTOPEDIA. A.Jurado Bueno, Ivan Medina Porqueres Ed Paidotribo- 2002.

11.- EXPLORACIÓN Y EVALUACIÓN NEUROMUSCULOESQUELÉTICA. UN MANUAL PARA TERAPEUTAS. Nicola J.Petty, Ann P. Moore. Ed. Mc Graw-Hill-Interamericana. 2003

12. KENDALL’S. MUSCULOS, PRUEBAS, FUNCIONES Y DOLOR POSTURAL. Florence Peterson Kendall, Elizabeth Kendall McCreary, Patricia Geise Provance. Edit. . Marban. 5 ed. 2008

13. ATLAS DE ANATOMIA PALPATORIA. Serge Tixá ( tomus 1 i 2) Ed Elsevier( 3ed) . Barcelona 2014

webbs of interest

www.efisioterapia.net

www.fisonet.net

www.aefi.net

www.scfisioterapia.cat

Software

There is no need for a specific program for the subject

In the case of virtual classes, the TEAMS application will be used, like last year.

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 first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 201 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 201 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 202 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 202 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 203 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 204 Catalan first semester afternoon