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PHTY41150

Academic Year 2026/2027

Foundations of Musculoskeletal Theory and practice (PHTY41150)

Subject:
Physiotherapy
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Ms Dee McEvoy
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This master’s-level module introduces students to the foundational knowledge and clinical skills required for musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice. Students will revisit relevant upper-limb anatomy and develop an understanding of human pathology, rheumatology, orthopaedics, oncology and pharmacology, including pain and analgesia.

The module focuses on the subjective and objective assessment, clinical reasoning and evidence-informed physiotherapy management of musculoskeletal conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. Conditions addressed include soft-tissue injuries, fractures, brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries, shoulder arthroplasty, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Students will consider relevant precautions, red flags and indications for onward referral when planning safe and appropriate management.

Clinical skills sessions will develop students’ competence in communication, palpation, range-of-motion assessment, muscle testing, postural assessment and relevant special tests. Students will be introduced to manual therapy and exercise prescription and will apply their knowledge through upper-limb case studies. These activities will support the development of structured clinical reasoning, problem identification, goal setting, treatment planning and evaluation of treatment outcomes.

Mapped to CORU SoP: 1.2, 1.3,1.15, 2.1, 3.1-3.8, 3.10, 3.14, 5.1-5.11, 5.13-5.15, 5.17-5.21, 5.23, 5.28

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Integrate relevant upper-limb anatomy, biomechanics and pathology into the assessment and physiotherapy management of common musculoskeletal conditions.
2. Apply knowledge of injury, inflammation, tissue and fracture healing, pharmacology and relevant surgical interventions when planning physiotherapy management.
3. Critically evaluate the clinical presentation and evidence-informed management of common upper-limb conditions, including soft-tissue injuries, fractures, rheumatological conditions, peripheral nerve injuries and shoulder arthroplasty.
4. Conduct a safe and systematic subjective and objective examination of the upper limb, identifying relevant precautions, red flags and indications for onward referral.
5. Apply structured clinical reasoning to interpret assessment findings, identify patient priorities, establish appropriate goals and formulate an individualised physiotherapy management plan.
6. Select, safely perform and appropriately adapt manual-therapy and exercise interventions for individuals with upper-limb musculoskeletal conditions.
7. Use appropriate outcome measures and patient responses to evaluate intervention effectiveness and modify management accordingly.

Indicative Module Content:

Upper-limb anatomy, biomechanics and pathology; injury, inflammation, soft-tissue and fracture healing; subjective and objective musculoskeletal assessment; red flags, precautions and indications for onward referral; common conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand; soft-tissue injuries and fractures; brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries; shoulder arthroplasty; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; introductory oncology; pharmacology, pain and analgesia; palpation, range-of-motion assessment, muscle testing, postural assessment and special tests; evidence-informed exercise prescription and manual therapy; patient education and self-management; clinical reasoning, goal setting, treatment planning and outcome evaluation through upper-limb case studies.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 2
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

150
Lectures

16
Small Group

28
Practical

32
Total

226

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning
Peer and group work
Lectures
Case-based learning
Student presentations

AI/Academic Integrity:
Staff may utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the programme to support teaching and learning and it will be clearly indicated if and when AI is used. Students are prohibited from representing work as their own that they did not write, code or create. Submission of AI-generated content to this module by a student without explicit permission and attribution is not allowed and it may reflect unacceptable professional behaviour. This may result in the initiation of a student disciplinary procedure in accordance with the “University Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Musculoskeletal (PHTY40880)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Group Work Assignment: Working in groups of five, students will receive a short case involving a common shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand condition. Each group will prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation Week 9 Graded No
10
 No
Exam (In-person): Written examination assessing knowledge and understanding of upper limb MSK disorders End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Graded No
60
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Clinical skills examination assessing ability to demonstrate clinical and handling skills, safety, communication, clinical reasoning and knowledge Week 12 Graded Yes
30
 Yes

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group /class feedback will be provided post assessment Opportunities will be provided to students to receive face to face individual feedback following assessment On-going feedback is provided to students during practical classes on practical skill performance

Anatomy and Functional Anatomy
Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. (2023). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed. Wolters Kluwer.
Netter FH. (2026). Netter Atlas of Human Anatomy. 9th ed. Elsevier.
Students may also use appropriate anatomy textbooks retained from their previous studies.

Musculoskeletal Assessment and Clinical Reasoning
Petty NJ, Moore AP. (2011). Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and Assessment: A Handbook for Therapists. 4th ed. Elsevier.
Higgs J, Jensen GM, Loftus S, Christensen N, eds. (2018). Clinical Reasoning in the Health Professions. 4th ed. Elsevier.

Exercise and Manual Therapy
American College of Sports Medicine. (2025). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 12th ed. Wolters Kluwer.
Hengeveld E, Banks K, eds. (2013). Maitland’s Peripheral Manipulation: Management of Neuromusculoskeletal Disorders. 5th ed. Elsevier.
Petty NJ, Barnard K. (2018). Principles of Neuromusculoskeletal Treatment and Management: A Handbook for Therapists. 3rd ed. Elsevier.

Musculoskeletal Conditions and Pathology
Brukner P, Ardern C, Bahr R, et al. (2024). Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine. 6th ed. McGraw Hill.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Caitriona Cunningham Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Tara Cusack Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Deirdre Hurley Osing Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Frank Kenny Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gráinne O'Donoghue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Garett Van Oirschot Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Laura McMahon Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Online Learning Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 4 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 3 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 6, 7, 10 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9, 11 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 1 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
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