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Physiotherapy

The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of physical impairments, disabilities, and pain through exercise, manual therapy, and education.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Neurological Physiotherapy

Neurological Physiotherapy is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Exercise Prescription

Exercise Prescription is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Manual Therapy

Manual Therapy is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy is a key chemistry topic covering molecular structure, reactions, and quantitative analysis.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Biomechanics

Biomechanics is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Design principles, analysis methods, standards and codes, and real-world case studies.

Pediatric Physiotherapy

Pediatric Physiotherapy is a clinical topic covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient care.

Key points: Core principles, practical applications, and advanced concepts that build deep understanding.

Key Formulas & Equations

Range of Motion (ROM): ROM = End angle - Start angle
Muscle Strength (MMT): 0 = No contraction; 1 = Flicker; 2 = Movement with gravity eliminated; 3 = Movement against gravity; 4 = Movement against some resistance; 5 = Normal strength
Goniometry: Measures joint angles in degrees
Body Mass Index: BMI = weight(kg) / height(m)²
Target Heart Rate (Karvonen): THR = (HRmax - HRrest) × intensity + HRrest
Max Heart Rate: HRmax = 220 - age
Heart Rate Reserve: HRR = HRmax - HRrest
Work: W = F × d × cos(θ)
Power: P = W / t
Torque: τ = F × r × sin(θ)
Mechanical Advantage: MA = Load / Effort
6-Minute Walk Test: Distance walked in 6 minutes (normal: 400-700 m)
Barthel Index: 0-100 scale for ADL independence
Visual Analog Scale (VAS): 0-10 pain scale
Borg Scale: 6-20 RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion)
Stair Climbing: Power = (weight × height × 9.81) / time
Gait Speed: Speed = Distance / Time (normal: 1.2-1.4 m/s)
Step Length: Step length = Distance / Number of steps
Cadence: Steps per minute

Core Concepts

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Treatment of injuries and conditions affecting muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments. Includes manual therapy, exercise prescription, and electrotherapy.

Neurological Physiotherapy

Rehabilitation for conditions affecting the nervous system: stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and peripheral nerve injuries.

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy

Treatment of heart and lung conditions: COPD, asthma, post-surgical rehabilitation, and cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Exercise Prescription

Design of individualized exercise programs based on FITT principles: Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. Tailored to patient goals and abilities.

Manual Therapy

Hands-on techniques including joint mobilization, manipulation, soft tissue massage, and myofascial release to reduce pain and improve movement.

Electrotherapy

Use of electrical modalities for treatment: TENS, ultrasound, interferential therapy, and laser therapy for pain relief and tissue healing.

Biomechanics

Study of mechanical laws relating to human movement. Includes gait analysis, posture assessment, and ergonomic evaluation.

Pediatric Physiotherapy

Treatment of infants, children, and adolescents with developmental, neuromuscular, and orthopedic conditions. Uses play-based therapy.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Target Heart Rate

Problem: A 40-year-old with resting HR 70 bpm wants to exercise at 70% intensity. Calculate THR using Karvonen.

Solution:

HRmax = 220 - 40 = 180 bpm

HRR = 180 - 70 = 110 bpm

THR = 110 × 0.70 + 70 = 147 bpm

Example 2: ROM Measurement

Problem: Knee flexion: start at 0° (full extension), end at 135°. Calculate ROM.

Solution:

ROM = 135° - 0° = 135° (normal knee flexion: 135-150°)

Example 3: Gait Speed

Problem: A patient walks 10 meters in 8 seconds. Calculate gait speed.

Solution:

Speed = 10/8 = 1.25 m/s (normal: 1.2-1.4 m/s)

Practice Problems

Problem 1

Calculate HRmax for a 55-year-old patient.

Answer: HRmax = 220 - 55 = 165 bpm

Problem 2

Calculate THR at 60% intensity for a 30-year-old with resting HR 65 bpm.

Answer: HRmax = 190; HRR = 125; THR = 125 × 0.60 + 65 = 140 bpm

Problem 3

Calculate work done lifting a 10 kg weight through 2 m (g = 9.81 m/s²).

Answer: W = 10 × 9.81 × 2 = 196.2 J

Problem 4

Calculate power if 200 J of work is done in 4 seconds.

Answer: P = 200/4 = 50 W

Problem 5

Calculate gait speed for a patient walking 6 meters in 5 seconds.

Answer: Speed = 6/5 = 1.2 m/s

Problem 6

Calculate BMI for a patient weighing 75 kg and 1.70 m tall.

Answer: BMI = 75/(1.70)² = 26.0 kg/m² (overweight)

Problem 7

Calculate torque if a force of 50 N is applied at 0.3 m lever arm at 90°.

Answer: τ = 50 × 0.3 × sin(90°) = 15 N·m

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