Aims & Learning Objectives:
To provide an understanding of the physiology of normal bone, joint and inflammation and to apply this to explain the pathophysiological process underlying osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
Identify population groups at high risk of osteoporosis and to take steps to confirm the diagnosis and treat them in a primary care setting. Define, assess and measure disability in the rheumatic patient and to produce a plan for the management of this disability in the context of a GP-led Primary Care Team. Explain the pathophysiology of pain perception, outline the psychological and experiential components of pain and undertake the assessment, measurement and treatment of pain originating from the muscoloskeletal system.
Content:
* Pathophysiology of the musculoskeletal system, outlining structure of bones and synovial joints and their contribution to the body's stability, support and movement;
* Osteoporosis and metabolic bone disorders, including osteomalacia and Paget's disease, with particular emphasis on bone formation, resorption, the pros and cons of HRT and disease prevention;
* Disability and handicap; the concept of multidisciplinary team in primary care;
* Pain, its physiology and psychology, the theories and concepts in helping patients deal with pain outlining current cognitive and behavioural therapies.
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