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Gold Coast Session 1 Session 1

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Health and Human Sciences

Pre-requisites

PDT20004 - Lower Limb Assessment

Co-requisites

BIO20002 - Biomechanics of Gait

Unit aim

Develops student knowledge of the mechanics of abnormal foot function and methods of intervention, management and control, to optimise gait and mobility.

Unit content

Topic 1:  Orthotic principles: Introduction to orthotic use in clinical practice

  • the purpose of mechanical therapy
  • defining normal and abnormal clinical presentations
  • outlining the differences between forms of mechanical therapy

Topic 2:  Materials

  • ortho-mechanical and footwear options in practice
  • working with materials

Topic 3:  Non-cast orthoses, taping and padding techniques

  • common conditions requiring ortho-mechanical and bracing therapy
  • acute and chronic injuries

Topic 4:  Casting techniques

  • casting methods
  • lower limb
  • foot

Topic 5:  Orthotic manufacture

  • manufacturing processes
  • methods of manufacture

Topic 6:  Managing patient expectations and orthotic revisions

  • medico-legal considerations
  • practice considerations

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 critique the concepts of mechanical therapy
2 describe the role of orthoses, bracing and footwear, including function, fitting and uses
3 demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and uses of materials used in the fabrication of orthoses
4 explain the principles and applications of various orthomechanical therapies and casting techniques
5 demonstrate an ability to apply practical techniques in orthomechanical therapies, including strapping, padding, casting and manufacture of orthoses

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. critique the concepts of mechanical therapy
    • GA1:
  2. describe the role of orthoses, bracing and footwear, including function, fitting and uses
    • GA4:
  3. demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and uses of materials used in the fabrication of orthoses
    • GA4:
  4. explain the principles and applications of various orthomechanical therapies and casting techniques
    • GA4:
  5. demonstrate an ability to apply practical techniques in orthomechanical therapies, including strapping, padding, casting and manufacture of orthoses
    • GA4:

Prescribed texts

  • Michaud, TC, 2011, Human Locomotion: The Conservative Management of Gait-Related Disorders, Newton Biomechanics, Newton, MA. ISBN: 978-0-615-51645-5.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.