Osteoarthritis

The disability pathway of musculoskeletal disease can have a substantial detriment effect on mobility and quality of life of individuals, increasing the burden on the health system. As future podiatrists you have an important role in the management of musculoskeletal disease to maintain mobility and independence of daily living tasks. Once a diagnosis is known the challenge for podiatrists is to use current research evidence to prescribe effective therapeutic interventions for patients. Importantly it is necessary to ensure the most appropriate health outcome measure is used to monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

This case study is designed to develop your skills that will contribute towards the above knowledge, skills and competencies. More specifically, it is designed to develop you skills in:

• Searching, locating and applying current evidence about musculoskeletal disease and management
• Understanding the musculoskeletal disease process and effect on function and daily living tasks
• Comparing and contrasting the evidence about the best clinical outcome measure for your patient case study
• Developing an appropriate treatment strategy and monitoring process for your patient case study
• Applying academic writing skills and appropriate referencing

Task

In this case study assignment you can choose to discuss active osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis located in the lower limb that is affecting mobility and quality of life. You have freedom to either 1) choose a case study from the list provided or 2) develop your own case study. For both options, you can decide on the extent and effect of the disease. You will need to describe the case in relation to the disease process, clinical presentation, and effects on quality of life and mobility. Epidemiology of the disease and an evidence based podiatric therapeutic intervention should be discussed relevant to the case. Importantly you will need to argue the case for the most appropriate health outcome measure to monitor your prescribed podiatric intervention.  Information and preliminary references will be discussed in the week 2.

Case Study List of Options

Instructions: You must only select ONE case from the list below to develop your patient case study. This list is to help you develop your patient case, but you have the freedom to develop the extent and effect of disease. If you want to develop your own case, please select option 10.

• Osteoarthritis of the knee joint
• Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint
• Osteoarthritis of the sub-talar and/or midtarsal joints
• Osteoarthritis the forefoot joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the knee joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the ankle joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the sub-talar and/or midtarsal joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the forefoot joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis affecting foot and ankle tendons
• Self-selected case study based on osteoarthritis OR rheumatoid arthritis

Word count: 1000 words. Tables can be used to compare information about the area, and will not be counted in the word count. Tables can therefore be used to help substantiate your information, without repetition in the text

Criteria

You will be assessed on the following:

• Description and epidemiology of the musculoskeletal disease case study;
• Evidence Based (EB) podiatric therapeutic intervention;
• Analysis of health outcome measures; and

Writing skills

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