Useful links
Unit of study_
PHTY5204: Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy III
2026 unit information
This unit of study, along with its companion unit PHTY5203, builds on competencies around professional identity, technical skills, communication and patient-centered care that were acquired and demonstrated in the foundation musculoskeletal units. Students will develop competencies in clinical reasoning, problem solving and critical thinking supported by the use of case studies that focus on assessment and management of commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions of the cervical spine and upper limbs in a primary care setting. Students will use a framework for management of musculoskeletal conditions that is consistent with widely endorsed clinical practice guidelines and uses a pragmatic evidence-based approach to patient care. In-depth learning modules in this unit include principles of risk stratification, guideline-based management planning, and epidemiology.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Movement Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
PHTY5136 and PHTY5137 |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
PHTY5203 |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Describe the risk factors, aetiology, pathological changes, signs and symptoms and prognosis of uncomplicated musculoskeletal conditions affecting the cervical spine and upper limb
- LO2. Describe abnormal kinematics and kinesiology of the cervical spine and upper limb
- LO3. Perform appropriate patient triage and screening for serious conditions related to the cervical spine and upper limb
- LO4. Safely and effectively perform an assessment of a patient with cervical spine and/or upper limb conditions and interpret and evaluate the findings by applying sound clinical reasoning
- LO5. Evaluate the diagnostic validity of common clinical tests used during examination
- LO6. Select the most suitable therapeutic intervention
- LO7. Safely and effectively apply (under direction) and evaluate treatment interventions appropriate for the impairments identified during the assessment
- LO8. Apply principles of exercise prescription, including knowledge of biomechanics, to clinical cases
- LO9. Demonstrate appropriate progression of intervention, with specific focus on exercise rehabilitation
- LO10. Locate and interpret evidence for commonly used interventions for cervical spine and upper limb conditions
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2026
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.