Musculoskeletal Sciences

Musculoskeletal Sciences Overview

The Musculoskeletal (Orthopaedic) Physiotherapy Department is one of the major clinical specialty departments dedicated to the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and the spine. The department is committed to delivering evidence-based physiotherapy care focused on pain relief, restoration of mobility, improvement of functional independence, and enhancement of overall quality of life. Through a combination of clinical expertise, advanced rehabilitation approaches, and patient-centered care, the department plays a significant role in the management of orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, and post-surgical conditions. Both undergraduate (BPT) and postgraduate (MPT–Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy) students receive comprehensive academic and clinical exposure that helps them build strong clinical reasoning, practical skills, and confidence in patient management. The department maintains close collaboration with the Orthopaedic Department of Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, providing students with valuable interdisciplinary clinical learning opportunities. Students are posted in orthopaedic outpatient departments (OPD), inpatient wards (IPD), post-operative rehabilitation units, and operation theatre (OT) postings, where they are exposed to various orthopaedic surgical procedures and rehabilitation protocols. Observing surgeries and interacting with orthopaedic surgeons helps students understand surgical approaches, precautions, post-operative care, and stage-wise rehabilitation planning. Students gain clinical exposure to conditions such as fractures, arthritis, spinal disorders, ligament injuries, joint replacement surgeries, chronic pain conditions, and post-operative rehabilitation, thereby strengthening their understanding of integrated patient care and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. The department is well equipped with modern physiotherapy assessment and rehabilitation facilities to support effective musculoskeletal management and clinical skill development. Available modalities and rehabilitation equipment include therapeutic exercise units, TENS, IFT, Ultrasound Therapy, muscle stimulation devices, computerized spinal decompression therapy systems, and advanced rehabilitation exercise setups. The computerized spinal decompression unit is used for non-surgical management of spinal conditions such as disc prolapse, low back pain, cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, and degenerative spinal disorders. The department also utilizes advanced Laser Therapy systems, including High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) and Class IV therapeutic laser devices used for the management of low back pain, soft tissue injuries, musculoskeletal pain syndromes, and full-body pain rehabilitation applications. Students are trained in manual therapy techniques, mobilization, soft tissue release techniques, posture correction, gait training, ergonomic advice, and functional rehabilitation programs. A key strength of the department is its emphasis on hands-on clinical training. Undergraduate students are encouraged to actively assess and treat patients under the supervision and guidance of experienced faculty members and postgraduate students. This supervised clinical exposure enhances practical skills, patient handling techniques, treatment planning, documentation, communication, and clinical decision-making abilities. Academic learning is further enriched through case presentations, seminars, clinical demonstrations, workshops, CME programs, webinars, and guest lectures focusing on recent advances in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

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Research & Evidence-Based Practice
The department actively promotes research, innovation, and evidence-based clinical practice among faculty members and students. Faculty members regularly contribute to national and international scientific publications in areas related to rehabilitation, pain management, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Students are encouraged to participate in research activities, case presentations, conferences, and academic discussions to strengthen their scientific knowledge and clinical reasoning skills. Collaborative research activities with orthopaedic and multidisciplinary healthcare teams further enhance academic learning and support the development of innovative rehabilitation practices.
Faculty Research Publications
  1. Kasturamma M, Ratchamarri U, Sanjana M. Effect of hip (flexor, extensor) muscle exercise on knee ROM and functional activity in post operative total knee replacement subjects. Int J Med Exerc Sci. 2025;11(3):2397-2408.

  2. Vijitha TR. Effectiveness of myofascial release therapy versus isometric strengthening exercises on pain and functional performance in patients with tennis elbow. Int J Appl Res. 2024;10(2):48-53.

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