Pathologies and physiotherapy of the musculoskeletal system

lknr1204  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Pathologies and physiotherapy of the musculoskeletal system
The version you’re consulting is not final. This course description may change. The final version will be published on 1st June.
7.00 credits
45.0 h + 37.5 h
Q2
Language
French
Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
The following pathophysiological mechanisms:
  • Trauma (fractures, muscle/ligament/tendon injuries)
  • Tendinopathies
  • Root damage
  • Degenerative processes (osteoarthritis).
  • Musculoskeletal paraclinical examinations (imaging, blood tests, EMG, etc.)
  • The major pathologies and syndromes of the musculoskeletal system at the level of the spine:
  • Lumbopelvic spine
  • Cervical spine
  • shoulder
  • The knee
  • The ankle
Physiotherapy (theory and practice) applied to patients with the above pathologies or disorders, including, among others, the following elements:
  • Common lumbago
  • Common neck pain
  • Shoulder pain and stiffness
  • Knee cruciate ligament injury (with or without meniscal damage)
  • Ankle sprains
Hygiene rules (preventing the transmission of infections) :
Hygiene procedures for the management of musculoskeletal pathology.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Knowledge and techniques
At the end of this teaching unit, specifically for patients (adult and elderly) suffering from pathologies of the musculoskeletal system studied in this course, according to an EBP approach (1.1) in physiotherapy, the student will be able to / to
  • Describe the epidemiological characteristics, the main physiopathological mechanisms and the clinical presentations of the different pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (2.1, 11.2)
  • explain the basic principles of clinical tests/tools, their validation/use and psychometric qualities (2.2, 11.2)
  • explain the basic principles of clinical examination and interpretation (2.3)
  • Explain the key elements in making a diagnosis in physiotherapy and rehabilitation (2.4)
  • Identify the situations for which the patient should be referred (2.5)
  • Explain the basic principles of prognosis (2.6)
  • Explain the basic principles of ongoing assessment and adaptation of treatment (3.2)
  • perform technical procedures, prescribe and demonstrate exercises rigorously and justify them (3.1)
  • Explain therapeutic interventions and their planning for standard management (guidelines): technical procedures, exercises and therapeutic education (patient-centred communication) (2.8, 3.1)
  • Explain hygiene rules (8.3)
Integrative and reflective skills
At the end of this teaching unit, in a typical management situation of a patient (adult and elderly) suffering from a pathology/dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system (clinical vignette or simulated case; 11.3), according to an EBP approach (1.1) in physiotherapy, the student will be able to :
  • Describe and interpret relevant medical, psychosocial and contextual information (biopsychosocial approach) from the medical record, history and questionnaires (2.2).
  • identify the relevant clinical tools/tests for carrying out a clinical examination, giving reasons for the choice (validation; psychometric quality, etc.), and apply them rigorously and appropriately to the patient (2.3, 4.3)
  • make a functional diagnosis by interpreting the information gathered during the history-taking and clinical examination (including signs, physical examination, paraclinical examination, subjective assessment) and justify it (2.4, 1.2)
  • Identify the risk factors, signs and symptoms of specific pathologies or signs of aggravation requiring referral to the appropriate clinician, specifying the degree of urgency (2.5)
  • Identify and explain the clinical, personal and contextual factors which may influence the prognosis, establish a prognosis and justify it (2.6)
  • formulate realistic goals for patient care and plan therapeutic intervention; explain the reasoning (2.7, 2.8, 1.2)
  • Carry out therapeutic interventions (technical procedures and exercises, therapeutic education) adapted to the patient's profile, using a didactic approach (3.1, 5.4)
  • Adapt his/her treatment according to the stage of the pathology and the patient's progress (3.2)
 
Other information
This course is strictly reserved for FSM students. It is not open to other UCLouvain students.
Faculty or entity
> FSM


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Motor Skills: Physical Education
EDPH2M
7
Bachelor in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
KINE1BA
7
LFSM1102 AND LFSM1003 AND LFSM1105 AND LFSM1109 AND LKNR1105