17609 - Locomotor System Diseases

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the fundamental knowledge of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the main musculoskeletal disorders. They will be able to recognize the most common orthopedic and traumatic conditions, establish an appropriate diagnostic work-up, understand the indications for conservative and surgical treatment, and describe the basic principles of orthopedic rehabilitation.

Course contents

No specific prerequisites are required beyond the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and general pathology acquired during the previous years of the degree program.

The course covers the main disorders of the musculoskeletal system, organized into the following topics.

Congenital and genetic disorders

• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Achondroplasia
• Marfan syndrome
• Congenital torticollis (osseous and muscular)
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip
• Congenital clubfoot and other congenital foot deformities

Growth disorders

• Idiopathic scoliosis
• Scheuermann disease
• Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
• Apophyseal disorders and osteochondroses
• Lower limb length discrepancy
• Coronal plane deformities of the knee
• Patellofemoral instability
• Flexible flatfoot and cavus foot

Neuromuscular disorders in childhood

• Obstetric palsy
• Cerebral palsy
• Sequelae of poliomyelitis

Metabolic, endocrine and vascular disorders

• Osteoporosis
• Rickets and osteomalacia
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Gout
• Paget's disease of bone
• Osteonecrosis and complex regional pain syndrome

Inflammatory disorders

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Seronegative spondyloarthropathies

Degenerative disorders

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative disorders of the spine
• Hallux valgus and metatarsalgia

Musculoskeletal infections

• Osteomyelitis
• Septic arthritis
• Implant- and prosthesis-related infections
• Osteoarticular tuberculosis

Musculoskeletal oncology

• Benign bone tumors
• Primary malignant bone tumors
• Osteosarcoma
• Ewing sarcoma
• Chondrosarcoma
• Bone metastases

Trauma

• Principles of fracture classification
• Fracture management
• Fracture complications
• Vertebral fractures
• Proximal humeral fractures
• Distal radius fractures
• Proximal femoral fractures

Sports traumatology

• Muscle injuries
• Traumatic shoulder injuries
• Rotator cuff tears
• Glenohumeral instability
• Acromioclavicular joint injuries
• Hip injuries
• Meniscal injuries
• Knee ligament injuries
• Articular cartilage injuries
• Ankle injuries

Readings/Bibliography

Randelli P., Della Valle A. Ortopedia e Traumatologia. Piccin Editore, 2022

Teaching methods

The course consists of face-to-face lectures supported by multimedia presentations, radiographic imaging, CT and MRI examples, and discussion of representative clinical cases aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge with clinical reasoning.

Students are encouraged to actively participate in classroom discussions concerning the diagnosis and management of common orthopedic conditions.

Lecture slides and additional teaching materials will be made available through the University's Virtuale platform.

Assessment methods

Assessment of the Orthopaedics module consists of an oral examination designed to evaluate:

• knowledge of the main musculoskeletal disorders;
• ability to establish an appropriate diagnostic pathway;
• understanding of conservative and surgical treatment indications;
• ability to use appropriate medical terminology and integrate concepts across different topics.

The final grade for the integrated course takes into account the mark obtained in the Orthopaedics oral examination together with the marks achieved in the Anatomy and Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine modules, provided that these modules have been passed within six months before the final registration of the integrated course examination. Otherwise, only the Orthopaedics assessment will be considered for the final registration, according to the regulations of the Degree Programme.

The final mark is expressed on a 30-point scale.

Teaching tools

Lecture slides and supplementary teaching materials will be made available through the University's Virtuale platform. Additional scientific papers and clinical guidelines may be recommended during the course for further reading.

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Maria Marcheggiani Muccioli