42244 - Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the clinical tools necessary for assessing joint muscle function in order to plan rehabilitation programs and evaluate outcomes in the context of the main pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. They will also be familiar with the principles of physiokinesitherapy techniques.

Course contents

Introduction to physical medicine and rehabilitation


Classical biomedical model and biopsychosocial model


Impairment Disability Handicap


ICIDH and ICF classifications


Rehabilitation team


Rehabilitation project


Rehabilitation program


Prostheses, aids, and orthoses


Rehabilitation outcome


Functional assessment


Assessment scales


Kinesiological assessment


ROM assessment: active and passive


Manual muscle testing


Deconditioning


Deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system


Prevention of deconditioning


Therapeutic exercise


Osteoarthritis


Principles of treatment and prevention


Knee arthroplasty


Post-surgical rehabilitation

Readings/Bibliography

Basaglia N, Rehabilitation Medicine - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Principles and Practice, Idelson Gnocchi


Kapandji IA, Functional Anatomy, Feltrinelli


ICF International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, Erickson


Shultz SJ, Houglum PA, Perrin DH, Physical Examination of the Musculoskeletal System. Assessment of Musculoskeletal Injuries, Piccin-Nuova Libraria

Teaching methods

Lectures with the aid of PowerPoint presentations and videos. Interactive methods to encourage active student participation.

Assessment methods

Registration for the exam must be done through Alma Esami in a single exam for the Integrated Course in MEDICAL-SURGICAL CLINIC OF THE LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM together with the Orthopedics module.


The final exam consists of an oral exam in which the student will mainly discuss a topic taken from the program. During the interview, questions will also be asked to assess the student's level of knowledge of the proposed topic and other topics covered in the program, their critical ability to connect different pieces of knowledge, and their overall understanding of the topics covered in class.


The exam will be considered passed if the student has demonstrated sufficient knowledge in each topic.


The student's achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in class, combined with their critical use, ability to make connections, and demonstration of mastery of expression and specific language will be evaluated with excellent grades. The criterion for integrating the grade into the final overall CI assessment is the weighted mathematical average based on credits.


Final grade scale:

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expression in generally correct language → 18-19;
Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and independent analytical skills only on purely practical issues, expression in correct language → 20-24;
Preparation on a wide range of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis choices, mastery of specific terminology → 25-29;
Substantially exhaustive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis and connection choices, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflect → 30-30L.


Students with learning disorders and temporary or permanent disabilities are invited to contact the dedicated office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti) as soon as possible so that appropriate compensatory measures can be agreed upon. The request must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the instructor, who will assess the appropriateness of the measures, taking into account the educational objectives.

Teaching tools

During the lessons, PowerPoint presentations and educational videos will be shown. Teaching materials deemed useful for preparation and supplementation will be posted on the University platforms or are available from the instructor.

Office hours

See the website of Lisa Berti