Current Concepts in Upper Limb Rehabilitation

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are central to the assessment and management of MSK conditions.

This module is aimed at AHPs working within the Musculoskeletal (MSK) field (including Hand Therapy) wishing to gain a greater understanding of current concepts in upper limb rehabilitation.

The module is appropriate for clinicians working in both primary, secondary, and tertiary care.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to demonstrate:

1. Critical evaluation of personal professional practice informed by current evidence.
2. The application of advanced clinical reasoning to manage complex presentations and individuals within a biopsychosocial model and considering the wider determinants of health.
3. Capability providing and modifying a range of person-centred interventions which may include traditional therapies (exercise prescription, pain management modalities, splinting, manual therapies) but also lifestyle advice and appropriate referral to other specialities or agencies.
4. A personal contribution and commitment to a culture of organisational learning.

Module Outline

This module aims to provide students with critical understanding of the key concepts underlying advanced musculoskeletal rehabilitation of the upper limb beyond their normal professional scope of practice enabling them to manage a range of differentiated and undifferentiated musculoskeletal conditions.

Themes covered will include:

• Upper limb versus lower limb – implications for rehabilitation.
• Graded motor imagery and sensorimotor approaches.
• Exercise therapy.
• Pain management and the upper limb.
• Tendinopathy and tendon management.
• Managing complex injury.
• Managing complex patients (challenging thoughts and behaviours, biopsychosocial model, wider determinants of health).
• Current concepts in management of arthropathies.
• Work related upper limb disorders.
• Orthopaedics and trauma.
• Protocol and pathway driven care models.
• Patient information and education.

Assessment strategy

100% coursework consisting of:

• 3000 word written evidence-based proposal for integrating new management modality into practice.
• A case-based oral presentation of no more than 15 minutes.

• Fees for 2024-25 (.PDF).

If you have any questions about the module fees please email msk@essex.ac.uk.

In the first instance approach your Education Liaison Manager to see if funding can be secured via the organisation you are working for.

To apply for an individual module please complete the module application form (.docx) and email to msk@essex.ac.uk for the attention of Sophie Young.