ORTO3100 Lower limb and Spinal Orthoses Course description

This module has moved from third to second year of the programme and keeps the code ORTO3100.

The module primarily focuses on ankle foot orthoses (AFO) and knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFO), but also covers knee and hip orthoses, spinal orthoses, brace treatment and individually adapted seating products and wheelchairs as part of rehabilitation for all relevant diagnosis groups.

The table below shows the subjects covered by modul, with credits spesified:

Subjects covered in the AFO and KAFO parts of the module

• Prosthetic and orthotic practice (5 credits)
• Biomechanics (3 credits)
• Profession, psychology, interaction and communication (2 credits)

Total credits: 10 credits

Subjects covered in the spinal orthoses ans special seating part of the module

• Prosthetics and orthotic practice (3 credits)
• Biomechanics (1 credits)
• Anatomy (0,5 credits)
• Profession, psychology, interaction and communication (0,5 credits)

Total credits: 5 credits

The student must have passed the first year of the programme.

After completing the module, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• knowledge of the relationship between the anatomy, pathology, biomechanics and function of the lower limbs
• knowledge of follow-up plans and orthoses design
• knowledge of children's orthoses
• knowledge of functional and potential psychosocial consequences of disability
• knowledge of the structure of rehabilitation services and how to prepare individual plans
• knowledge of universal design and social participation

Skills

The student is capable of

• with some supervision, preparing and reflecting on orthopaedic follow-up plans for users in need of lower limb or spinal orthoses
• making critical assessments of biomechanical issues with a focus on ankle, knee and hip instability and linking this to gait and orthosis design
• assessing biomechanical factors of importance to spinal orthoses and special seating
• assessing and proposing measures relating to positioning in wheelchairs to prevent and treat pressure sores when spinal orthoses are used
• using research articles and specialist literature to analyse topics relating to lower limb and spinal orthoses
• preparing work descriptions and carrying out technical processes used in the production of lower limb and spinal orthoses

General competence

The student

• is capable of reflecting on the characteristics of communication with children and young people
• is capable of communicating with children, young people and relatives
• is capable of discussing interdisciplinary cooperation on orthoses treatment and seating clinics
• is capable of reflecting on challenges associated with communication and interdisciplinary cooperation in relation to users in need of treatment with lower limb orthoses, spinal orthoses and/or special seating
• is capable of documenting and communicating relevant clinical and biomechanical assessments in patient records and communicating such assessment orally
• is capable of reflecting on user perspectives, planning, implementation and the effect of treatment
• is familiar with challenges associated with orthoses treatment in developing countries

The work and teaching methods used vary between seminars, a clinical and technical module, lectures, digital resources, student cooperation and self-study.

The following coursework requirements must be met before the student can take the exam:

• clinical and technical module, see the `Skills training- section in the general part of the programme description
• minimum attendance of 80 % at seminars

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

Ruler and protractor

Grade scale A-F

One external and one internal examiner will assess a minimum of 20 % of the exam papers. The remaining papers will be assessed by two internal examiners. The external examiner's assessment shall benefit all the students.