MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS (MSPO)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 

HSC 5000: Interprofessional Education for the Health Sciences (1 cr.)

This course introduces students to the principles of interprofessional education and collaboration. The course is organized around the four competencies of values and ethics; roles and responsibilities; interprofessional communication; and teams and teamwork.

 

HSC 5001: Advanced Gross Human Anatomy (6 cr.)

An advanced, detailed regional study of the structure of the human body with emphasis on the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, peripheral nervous, and respiratory systems. An introduction to functional anatomy and selected pathologies provide a basis for the future understanding of the kinetics of motion and of dysfunction. This course includes cadaver dissection, lectures, case studies, and computer-based learning.

 

HSC 5002: Functional Human Anatomy (2 cr.)

This course introduces students to relevant medical, anatomical and basic biomechanical terminology. It will emphasize anatomical structures and function as they relate to the human body. Students will begin to use handling, palpation and problem solving skills to apply basic movement principles related to bone, muscle, joint and other structures.

 

HSC 5003: Patient Care Concepts I (1 cr.)

This course provides the student with a foundation for interacting with consumers of rehabilitation services and with other healthcare professionals. This laboratory course introduces the student to basic concepts in patient care including: communication and building rapport, basic patient handling skills, clinical observation and assessment, aseptic technique, vital signs, positioning and draping, transition and transfer skills, common devices used in patient care, and working as a member of a healthcare team.

 

HSC 5006: Introduction to Research and Evidence-based Practice (2 cr.)

This course addresses the role of research in professional clinical practice including foundations of research, introduction to the research process, research sources utilization and dissemination, and principles and models of evidence-based practice.

 

HSC 5011: Biomechanics (2 cr.)

This course is an introduction to kinesiology by study of biomechanics, including statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and related aspects of human muscle mechanics and physiology. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of mechanical principles in relation to analysis of human body at rest and in motion with both normal and selected pathological examples. This course will prepare the physical therapy/prosthetic & orthotic students regarding application of biomechanics in a general physical therapy/prosthetic & orthotic practice with a clinical emphasis on musculoskeletal concerns. Biomechanics application to gait, exercise equipment and ergonomics will be utilized to prepare the students for clinical practice.

 

HSC 5013: Introduction to the Integumentary System (1 cr.)

This course will review skin anatomy and the wound healing process in relation to the etiology of common integumentary diagnoses. Identification of types wounds, the wound assessment process and wound relief measures will be presented. Wound dressing categories will be introduced and discussed in relationship to the wound assessment and patient function.

 

HSC 5014: Psychosocial Aspects of Disability (3 cr.)

An examination of the study of individual reactions to various disabling conditions, the adjustment process, cultural norms and expectations, and responses to the rehabilitation process. The psychological impact of disability will be examined by analyzing the individual’s adjustment to disability and related issues pertaining to self-concept, self-worth, role fulfillment, and quality of life. Social aspects of disability will be studied by analyzing societal attitudes toward people with disabilities; discrimination and segregation issues; impact of disability on vocational and other social role functioning; and images of people with disabilities portrayed in the media and other cultural forms of expression. Particular attention will be placed on increasing awareness about environmental barriers that confront people with disabilities in our society. Treatment interventions, designed to minimize the impact of disability, will be emphasized throughout the course.

 

MPO 5100: Introduction to Prosthetics and Orthotics (3 cr.)

This course provides an overview of the foundational concepts of the discipline, with the purpose of providing students with baseline knowledge upon which subsequent clinical courses can build. The course emphasizes the blueprint of an episode of care, as well as an understanding of the patient experience. Content includes professional identity, terminology, history, scope of practice, general patient evaluation, general device design, materials and properties, fabrication processes, general follow-up care, amputation and post-amputation protocol, and general insurance and coding principles. Students will be introduced to examples of clinical research and begin developing their abilities as critical consumers of research. Finally, students will begin developing fabrication lab skills that will be necessary throughout the remainder of the program experience.

 

MPO 5199: Clinical Rotation I (1 cr.)

This course examines the practical application of medicine, surgery, and rehabilitation under the supervision of a variety of healthcare professionals. Students will be exposed to a multitude of diseases and conditions in hospitals, clinics, and/or private practice settings. Emphasis of this first clinical rotation course is on concepts discussed in MPO 5100 Introduction to Prosthetics & Orthotics.

 

MPO 5200: Clinical Measurement (2 cr.)

This course focuses on clinical assessment, with an emphasis on objective measurement of the limbs and their functional use. Topics will consider the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to include the assessment of measurable aspects of body structure and function as well as measurable aspects of activity and participation. Specifics include but are not limited to: range of motion and goniometry; limb strength and manual muscle testing; prosthetic and orthotic gait analysis; clinical outcome measurement tools; and anthropometric measurements related to the implementation of a prosthetic or orthotic treatment plan. This course includes lab hours to develop these clinical skills.

 

MPO 5201: Lower Limb Orthotics I (3 cr.)

The topics covered in this course will include all elements of orthotic intervention of the lower extremity that are concerned with the lower leg and foot distal to the knee. The major areas addressed in this course are: assessment of disability, function, and the lower extremity; formulation of an orthotic treatment plan below the knee; implementation of an orthotic treatment plan below the knee; and orthotic follow-up care. Students will consider orthotic design of foot orthoses and ankle foot orthoses and will develop skills in ideal shape capture, technical fabrication methods, and the clinical evaluation of fit and function for those device levels. Other content will include pedorthic concepts such as selection of footwear and shoe modification, as well as alternative fabrication methods for the orthosis below the knee. This course includes significant time in the lab developing these technical and clinical skills.

 

MPO 5202: Lower-Limb Prosthetics I (3 cr.)

The topics covered in this course will include all elements of the prosthetic intervention of the lower extremity that are concerned with transtibial (below the knee) amputations. The major areas addressed in this course are: amputation and post-amputation management; assessment of disability, function, and the residual lower extremity; formulation of a prosthetic treatment plan; implementation of a prosthetic treatment plan; and prosthetic follow-up care. Students will mainly consider the design of transtibial prostheses, and will develop skills in ideal shape capture, technical fabrication methods, alignment, and the clinical evaluation of fit and function for those devices. Other content will include concepts related to Symes amputations, as well as alternative fabrication methods for the prosthesis below the knee. This course includes significant time in the lab developing these technical and clinical skills, and will include prosthetic subject models to support course objectives and learning goals.

 

MPO 5203: Neuroscience for P&O (2 cr.)

A study of the histology, physiology, gross anatomy, and function of the nervous system, with emphasis on the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The cause-effect relations between lesions or abnormalities and their clinical signs and symptoms will be discussed, as well as implications for prosthetic and orthotic intervention. Additional attention will be given to motor learning through normal development and resulting from the impacts of pathological conditions or amputation procedures.

 

MPO 5299: Clinical Rotation II (1 cr.)

This course examines the practical application of medicine, surgery, and rehabilitation under the supervision of a variety of healthcare professionals. Students will be exposed to a multitude of diseases and conditions in hospitals, clinics, and/or private practice settings. Emphasis of this second clinical rotation course is on concepts discussed in MPO 5200 Clinical Measurement, MPO 5201 Lower Limb Orthotics I, and MPO 5202 Lower Limb Prosthetics I.

 

MPO 5300: Research Preparation (1 cr.)

This course builds upon foundational content from HSC 5006 Introduction to Research and Evidence-Based Practice to guide students in narrowing their focus to a specific scholarly study, meant to be carried out and completed in future courses MPO 6400 Research Execution and MPO 6500 Research Dissemination. In this semester, students will prepare their research by: reviewing and interpreting the literature to identify gaps in knowledge; formulating and proposing a research project that seeks to address a gap in knowledge; and assembling documentation for submission to the ASU Institutional Review Board. Students will work in groups to aim for research design and methods that are feasible but will also brainstorm alternative approaches that could be employed if time and resources were less constrained.

 

MPO 5301: Lower Limb Orthotics II (2 cr.)

This course continues from MPO 5201 Lower Limb Orthotics I with lab time spent reinforcing technical and clinical skills related to orthotic intervention of the foot and leg distal to the knee. New topics will include all elements of orthotic intervention concerned with the knee itself: assessment of disability, function, and the lower extremity; formulation of an orthotic treatment plan at the knee; implementation of an orthotic treatment plan at the knee; and orthotic follow-up care. Students will consider the design of knee orthoses and will develop skills in ideal shape capture and the clinical evaluation of fit and function with those devices.

 

MPO 5302: Lower Limb Prosthetics II (2 cr.)

This course continues from MPO 5202 with lab time spent reinforcing technical and clinical skills related to prosthetic intervention following transtibial amputation. New topics will include socket design for prosthetic intervention following transfemoral amputation. Students will begin developing skills in ideal shape capture and technical fabrication methods at this level.

 

MPO 5303: Pathology I (1 cr.)

This first course of the pathology series will discuss pathological conditions impacting the lower limb. Emphasis will be placed on musculoskeletal disorders of the foot, ankle, and knee, as well as common neurologic and neuropathic conditions impacting the lower limb. The course will explore why and how these diseases or disorders develop, the range of treatment approaches across the interdisciplinary healthcare team, and the orthotic design features that can be utilized to address aspects of typical clinical presentation.

Prosthetic content will highlight decision making for partial foot amputation.

 

MPO 5304: Career Development (2 cr.)

This course primarily prepares students for residency and certification exams. Emphasis is placed on finding and securing a residency position, making the most of the residency experience, and preparing and sitting for certification exams. Further employment, professional development opportunities, and the international P&O community will also be discussed.

 

MPO 5399: Clinical Rotation III (1 cr.)

This course examines the practical application of medicine, surgery, and rehabilitation under the supervision of a variety of healthcare professionals. Students will be exposed to a multitude of diseases and conditions in hospitals, clinics, and/or private practice settings. Emphasis of this third clinical rotation course is on concepts discussed in MPO 5301 Lower Limb Orthotics II, MPO 5302 Lower Limb Prosthetics II, MPO 5303 Pathology I, and MPO 5304 Career Development.

 

MPO 6400: Research Execution (1 cr.)

This course continues scholarly research efforts from MPO 5300 Research Preparation. In this semester, students will execute their research by: engaging with the ASU Institutional Review Board to gain proper approvals for data collection; recruit potential participants; and carry out the research methods to collect data as planned. Students will continue to work in their research groups to aim for full data collection and preliminary data analysis to allow for abstract submission to a national scientific conference related to prosthetics and orthotics.

 

MPO 6401: Lower Limb Orthotics III (2 cr.)

This course continues from MPO 5301 Lower Limb Orthotics II in content related to lower limb orthotic intervention. The topics covered in this course will include all elements of orthotic intervention of the lower extremity that are concerned with involvement and impairment proximal to the knee. The major areas addressed in this course are: assessment of disability, function, and the lower extremity; formulation of a lower limb orthotic treatment plan; implementation of a lower limb orthotic treatment plan; and orthotic follow-up care. Students will consider orthotic design of knee ankle foot orthoses, hip orthoses, and hip knee ankle foot orthoses and will develop skills in ideal shape capture, technical fabrication methods, and the clinical evaluation of fit and function for those device levels. Other content will include lower limb orthotic pediatric applications as well as reciprocating gait orthoses. This course includes significant time in the lab developing these technical and clinical skills.

 

MPO 6402: Lower Limb Prosthetics III (3 cr.)

The topics covered in this course will include all elements of the prosthetic intervention of the lower extremity that are concerned with amputations at the knee and above. The major areas addressed in this course are: amputation and post-amputation management; assessment of disability, function, and the residual lower extremity; formulation of a prosthetic treatment plan; implementation of a prosthetic treatment plan; and prosthetic follow-up care. Students will spend the majority of time considering the design of transfemoral prostheses, and will develop skills in ideal shape capture, technical fabrication methods, alignment, and the clinical evaluation of fit and function for those devices. Other content will include concepts related to knee and hip disarticulation amputations, as well as alternative fabrication methods for the prosthesis above the knee. This course includes significant time in the lab developing these technical and clinical skills, and will include prosthetic subject models to support course objectives and learning goals.

 

MPO 6403: Pathology II (1 cr.)

This second course of the pathology series will continue discussing pathological conditions impacting the lower limb. Emphasis will be placed on pediatric conditions of the lower limb, as well as musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders impacting the lower limb up to the hip. The course will explore why and how these diseases or disorders develop, the range of treatment approaches across the interdisciplinary healthcare team, and the orthotic design features that can be utilized to address aspects of typical clinical presentation.

Prosthetic content will highlight decision making for pediatric and congenital limb deficiency.

 

MPO 6404: Advanced Technology I (1 cr.)

This first course of the advanced technology series will expose students to the latest technologies and approaches seen in and proposed for modern clinical practice. Emphasis will be placed on advances aimed for use in lower limb orthotic and prosthetic treatment plans. The course will include guest presenters representing users and manufacturers, allowing students to evaluate how the ethical use of these technologies are changing clinical care, and to assess their own desire to employ these approaches to meet patient needs.

 

MPO 6405: Spinal and Cranial Orthotics (3 cr.)

This course provides an overview of all elements of orthotic intervention concerned with involvement and impairment of the spine and cranium. The major areas addressed in this course are: assessment of disability, function, and the trunk, neck and head; formulation of an orthotic treatment plan; implementation of an orthotic treatment plan; and orthotic follow-up care. Students will consider orthotic design incorporating the cranial, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions, and will develop skills in ideal shape capture, technical fabrication methods, and the clinical evaluation of fit and function for those device levels. Other content will include details of pathological conditions with specific impact on the spine and cranium. This course includes significant time in the lab developing these technical and clinical skills.

 

MPO 6499: Clinical Rotation IV (1 cr.)

This course examines the practical application of medicine, surgery, and rehabilitation under the supervision of a variety of healthcare professionals. Students will be exposed to a multitude of diseases and conditions in hospitals, clinics, and/or private practice settings. Emphasis of this fourth clinical rotation course is on concepts discussed in MPO 6401 Lower Limb Orthotics III, MPO 6402 Lower Limb Prosthetics III, MPO 6403 Pathology II, MPO 6404 Advanced Technology I, and MPO 6405 Spinal and Cranial Orthotics.

 

MPO 6500: Research Dissemination (2 cr.)

This final course of the series continues scholarly research efforts from MPO 6400 Research Execution. In this semester, students will disseminate their research by: completing appropriate data analysis procedures and accurately and concisely reporting analyzed results; discussing the potential clinical implications of their research findings; and communicating their findings in presentation, poster and written formats to a variety of stakeholder audiences. Students will consider next steps for their projects and their future contributions to the body of knowledge in the field.

 

MSPO 6501: Upper Limb Orthotics (1 cr.)

The topics covered in this course will include all elements of orthotic intervention that are concerned with involvement and impairment of the upper extremity. The major areas addressed in this course are: assessment of disability, function, and the upper extremity; formulation of an upper limb orthotic treatment plan; implementation of an upper limb orthotic treatment plan; and orthotic follow-up care. Students will consider orthotic design of all variations of upper limb orthoses and will develop skills in ideal shape capture, technical fabrication methods, and the clinical evaluation of fit and function for those device levels. Other content will include upper limb orthotic pediatric applications as well as time in the lab developing relevant technical and clinical skills.

 

MPO 6502: Upper Limb Prosthetics (4 cr.)

The topics covered in this course will include all elements of the prosthetic intervention that are concerned with amputations, limb deficiencies, and limb differences of the upper extremity. The major areas addressed in this course are: amputation and post-amputation management; assessment of disability, function, and the residual upper extremity; formulation of a prosthetic treatment plan; implementation of a prosthetic treatment plan; and prosthetic follow-up care. Students will spend the majority of time considering the design of transradial and transhumeral prostheses, and will develop skills in ideal shape capture, technical fabrication methods, alignment, and the clinical evaluation of fit and function for those devices. Other content will include concepts related to disarticulation amputations at the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, as well as partial hand, and alternative fabrication methods for the upper extremity prosthesis.

This course includes significant time in the lab developing these technical and clinical skills, and will include prosthetic subject models to support course objectives and learning goals.

 

MPO 6503: Pathology III (1 cr.)

This third course of the pathology series will mainly discuss pathological conditions impacting the upper limb. Emphasis will be placed on musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders at this level, as well as other unique disorders. The course will explore why and how these diseases or disorders develop, the range of treatment approaches across the interdisciplinary healthcare team, and the orthotic design features that can be utilized to address aspects of typical clinical presentation. Prosthetic content will highlight decision making for complex and multiple limb amputations.

 

MPO 6504: Advanced Technology II (1 cr.)

This second course of the advanced technology series will continue to expose students to the latest technologies and approaches seen in and proposed for modern clinical practice. Emphasis will be placed on advances aimed for use in spinal orthotic and upper limb orthotic and prosthetic treatment plans. The course will include guest presenters representing users and manufacturers, allowing students to evaluate how the ethical use of these technologies are changing clinical care, and to assess their own desire to employ these approaches to meet patient needs.

 

MPO 6505: Practice Management and Administration (2 cr.)

This course examines prosthetic and orthotic practice management in the current healthcare environment. Topics to be discussed are practice management, clinical reasoning, integration of evidence-based practice into clinical relevant decision-making, and synthesis of relevant information. The course emphasizes insurance literacy, coding, and clinical documentation skills. Other topics to be addressed include professional scope of practice, professional identity, reimbursement, licensure/certification, healthcare economics, ethics, marketing, and facility leadership.

 

MPO 6599: Clinical Rotation V (1 cr.)

This course examines the practical application of medicine, surgery, and rehabilitation under the supervision of a variety of healthcare professionals. Students will be exposed to a multitude of diseases and conditions in hospitals, clinics, and/or private practice settings. Emphasis of this fifth clinical rotation course is on concepts discussed in MPO 6501 Upper Limb Orthotics, MPO 6502 Upper Limb Prosthetics, MPO 6503 Pathology III, MPO 6504 Advanced Technology II, and MPO 6505 Practice Management and Administration.