Additional pathology and physiotherapy of the musculoskeletal system

lknr1303  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Additional pathology 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.
4.00 credits
30.0 h + 30.0 h
Q2

  This learning unit is not being organized during year 2025-2026.

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:
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Infectious diseases
  • Metabolic pathologies
Major pathologies and syndromes of the musculoskeletal system (children and adults) at the level of the spine:
  • Lumbopelvic spine
  • Cervical spine
  • shoulder
  • Thigh/leg/calf
  • Elbow
  • Hand
  • Hip
  • The foot
Physiotherapy (theory and practice) applied to patients with the above pathologies or disorders, including, among others, the following:
  • Low back pain
  • Cervico-brachialgia
  • Whiplash Associated Disorders
  • Shoulder dislocation and instability
  • Patellofemoral Pain/Iliotibial Band Syndrome/Patellar Tendinopathy
  • Muscle injury
  • Tendinopathy
Aspects of therapeutic communication in a given situation
Hygiene rules (prevention of 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, child and elderly) suffering from pathologies of the musculoskeletal system studied in this course, according to an EBP (1.1) approach in physiotherapy, the student will be able to :
  • Describe the epidemiological characteristics, the main physiopathological mechanisms and the clinical presentations of the different pathologies of the musculoskeletal system as well as the particularities of this system in children. (2.1, 11.2)
  • Explain the basic principles of clinical tests/tools, their validation/use and psychometric
  • psychometric qualities (2.2, 11.2)
  • Explain the basic principles of the clinical examination and its interpretation (2.3)
  • Explain the key elements for 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 continuous assessment and adaptation of treatment
  • (3.2)
  • Perform technical procedures, prescribe and demonstrate exercises rigorously and justify them
  • justifying them (3.1)
  • Explain therapeutic interventions and how to plan them 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 patient management situation (adult, child and elderly person) 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)
  • Explain, justify and discuss therapeutic options and their consequences with a patient, in a respectful and personalised manner, using accessible language (9.1)
 
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
Bachelor in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
KINE1BA
4
LKNR1202 AND LKNR1203 AND LKNR1204