Applied Orthopaedic Technology (Intercalated) BMSc (Hons)

Students will study the following:

1. Introduction to Audit & Research Skills (Semesters 1 & 2)

• Research and the Scientific Method: This unit introduces you to the concepts of scientific thinking and the scientific method.
• Information Gathering and Review: This unit makes you aware of the information resources that exist, and equips you with the tools and strategies needed to effectively gather the appropriate information from them. Once gathered you will be able to evaluate the worth of the information by a process of critical review.
• Reporting and Presentation: This unit makes you aware of the importance of reporting research work. It should also help you to form and practice the formal presentation skills which are necessary to effectively communicate with the wider professional and scientific community.
• Application of Audit to Clinical Work: This unit introduces you to audit and its effect on clinical outcome.
• Ethical Issues: This unit introduces you to the skills required to successfully negotiate the complexities involved in identifying ethical issues

2. Orthopaedic Medicine (Semester 1)

• Joint Conditions: This unit covers the causes and management of joint conditions such as arthritis, avascular necrosis, crystal arthropathies and mechanical knee problems.
• Backache and Neckache: This unit addresses the causes and management of backache and neckache.
• Orthopaedic Conditions in Childhood: This unit covers the causes and management of major and minor conditions of the musculoskeletal system occurring in childhood.
• Minor Adult Disorders: This unit introduces the causes and management of a range of common adult disorders that are classified as minor conditions, although they may cause considerable inconvenience and discomfort to the sufferer.
• Common Fractures: This unit covers the causes, investigation and management of common fractures.

3. Biomechanics (Semester 1)

• Biomechanics: The aim of this unit is to provide you with a basic understanding of the mechanics of the human musculoskeletal system. This, coupled with a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology and orthopaedic conditions, will help you understand the design and function of orthopaedic implants and how they are used in practice.
• Basic Concepts: This unit covers the basic principles of mechanics to prepare you for the study of the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system in the following three modules. Simple worked examples, using basic mathematics, are used to illustrate the concepts.
• Biomechanics of Skeletal Tissue: This unit introduces you to the basic properties and mechanics of bone, articular cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
• Biomechanics of the Lower Limb: This unit describes the biomechanics of the foot and the major joints of the lower limb, including the biomechanics of walking. Biomechanics of the Upper Limb and Spine This unit covers the biomechanics of the major joints of the upper limb and spine, including a detailed examination of the forces acting on the spine during lifting

4. Implant Technology (Semester 2)

• Orthopaedic Implant Mechanics and Materials: This unit introduces you to the biomechanics of implants. It also deals with the materials that are used to fabricate implants; their biocompatibility, strength, lubrication and interfacing.
• Hip Joint Replacement: This module covers the main biomechanical and technical considerations of hip joint replacement design.
• Knee Joint Replacement: This unit aims to give an understanding of the main biomechanical and technical considerations in the design of replacement knee joints.
• Ankle Joint Replacement: This unit deals with the main biomechanical and technical considerations in the design of replacement ankle joints.
• Fractures, Fracture Healing and Non-Surgical Fixation This unit covers the main biomechanical and technical considerations in the fixation of fractures using nonsurgical techniques. Surgical Fracture Fixation This unit addresses the main biomechanical and technical considerations in fixing fractures using methods involving surgery

Taught Courses and Project

Lectures include:

• Medical Statistics
• Rigid Body Mechanics
• Structural Mechanics
• Biomechanics
• Academic Communications
• Prosthetics
• Orthotics, Wheelchairs and Seating
• Motion Analysis

Project:

The project will be in a relevant area of orthopaedics, biomechanics and rehabilitation, and will be undertaken within the Department. The project should commence at the beginning of the academic year with thesis submission by the end of April.