Overview
In this unit you will be presented with common structural and functional variations of the lower limb as seen in podiatry practice. You will learn the aetiology, clinical diagnosis and management of common orthopaedic lower limb conditions. You will refine and develop your knowledge and skills in clinical gait analysis and biomechanical assessment which will be used to assess and diagnose biomechanical conditions of the lower limb. This will incorporate various motion analysis devices and medical equipment in the assessment and treatment of biomechanical conditions in a podiatric context.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: PODI12010 Advanced Anatomy and Podiatric Biomechanics. To be enrolled in this unit, students must be enrolled in CB86 Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) course. Co-requisites: PODI13007 Podiatry Clinical Practice 2 and PODI13010 Sports in Podiatry Practice.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Have your say
Students enjoyed the two day biomechanical placement in the student-led clinic. Students had to methodically work through all the assessments in the biomechanical assessment form.
The two day clinical placement should continue in this format so that students get hands on practice on every assessment on the form.
Feedback from Have your say
The lecture content was interesting and well organised. The lecturer explained all the concepts very well, tying the theoretical content to the practical assessments.
The content of the unit should continue in this format and follow the biomechanical assessment form closely. This allows students to relate the biomechanical theories learnt in this unit, to practical clinical assessments.
Feedback from Have your say, unit coordinator reflection
Students felt anxious about not receiving the last assessment task results and feedback. This was due to an oversight on the part of the unit-coordinator who completed all marking on time, but did not 'unhide' the marks on the Grades set up page after all student marks were uploaded.
It is recommended that the unit-coordinator remembers to click on the 'unhide marks' feature on the Grades page once all marking is complete. Students may also have to provide timely feedback to the unit-coordinator if they do not see their marks within the assessment return time frame set out on their unit profile.
- Assess podiatric cases involving clinical biomechanics of the lower limb, and interpret and analyse findings
- Develop, implement, and evaluate podiatric interventions for patients with common biomechanical pathologies of the lower limb
- Evaluate peer reviewed biomechanical literature to support decision making in podiatry practice.
Per NPC1304
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
| 2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | |||
| 3 - On-campus Activity - 20% | |||
| 4 - Presentation - 30% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | ||||||||||
| 3 - On-campus Activity - 20% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Presentation - 30% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Clinical Biomechanics of the Lower Extremities
Edition: First
Authors: Ronald L. Valmassy
Mosby
ISBN: 9780801679865
Binding: Hardcover
Whittle's Gait Analysis
Edition: Fifth
Authors: David Levine, Jim Richards, Michael W Whittle
Churchill Livingstone Elsevier
ISBN: 9780702042652
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
b.peterson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Overview of unit
Review: Functional anatomy and biomechanics of lower extremity
Introduction to the Root Theory of foot biomechanics
Introduction to the biomechanical assessment form
Tutorial:
Revise anatomy of the lower limb
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Pathomechanics of the rearfoot
Review orthotic prescription form – relating foot measurements to extrinsic cast modifications
Tutorial:
Static assessment implications
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Pathomechanics of the forefoot
Forefoot and rearfoot relationship
Review orthotic prescription form – relating foot measurements to intrinsic cast modifications
Tutorial:
Case studies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Pathomechanics of the lower limb
Other theories related to foot function
Sagittal plane facilitation Theory
STJ axis equilibrium and rotational equilibrium theory
Tissue Stress
Unified Theory
Tutorial:
Case studies and review of orthotic prescription form
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Weeks 1-4 review and Q&A with unit coordinator
Tutorial:
Written assessment preparation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No class during vacation week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Clinical Placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Biomechanical Placement Day 1
Module/Topic
Clinical Placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Biomechanical Placement Day 2
Module/Topic
Clinical Placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Gait analysis (Part 1)
Tutorial:
Evaluate Kinematic data from zebris collected during placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Gait analysis (Part 2)
Tutorial:
Evaluate Kinetic data from zebris collected during placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Preparation for Presentation in Week 12
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance: As per the University’s recommendation that "All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes,” students should also be aware that there is clear evidence to show that attendance rates are directly related to academic progress. It is therefore in your best interest and strongly recommended in the Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) course, that you attend all scheduled learning activities to support your learning.
Uniform: In all clinical placement sessions, students are required to wear their clinical uniform. Please refer to the Clinical Placement Handbook for further details.
1 Written Assessment
Students will be required to submit an essay of 2500 (+/- 10%) words. The essay will introduce the five main podiatric biomechanical theories (Root theory, Sagittal plane facilitation theory, STJ axis equilibrium and rotational equilibrium theory, Tissue Stress theory and the Unified theory) covered in Weeks 1-4. Students will need to provide a brief introduction to the theories and how these theories relate to clinical assessments and orthotic prescription (approximately 500 words per theory).
Week 9 Friday (13 May 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (27 May 2022)
Your report must include:
a) Cover Page: Assessment Title, student’s name, student number, unit code, unit title, unit lecturer’s name, due date of the assignment and word count.
b) Format:
a. Microsoft Word document only (.doc and .docx), or PDF.
b. Font size 12 (Times New Roman or Arial or reasonable default-type font such as Calibri)
c. Text double spaced
d. Pages numbered consecutively
e. Your student number must be clearly seen in the right side of the footer.
c) References:
a. Vancouver format
b. Reference at least 10 primary sources of information
You will be marked according to a purpose made marking rubric which will be made available at the beginning of term.
- Evaluate peer reviewed biomechanical literature to support decision making in podiatry practice.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 On-campus Activity
Each week, during tutorials, students will be required to complete a range of tutorial activities. Students are required to complete the activities and submit them to via Moodle. Additional detail about this assessment task will be provided to students at the beginning of the semester.
Week 10 Friday (20 May 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Students are to upload their marked task sheets on their Moodle site
Students will be marked according to a task sheet specific to this assessment task.
- Assess podiatric cases involving clinical biomechanics of the lower limb, and interpret and analyse findings
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
3 Professional Practice Placement
Students are to complete two (2) days of biomechanical placement in Weeks 6 and 7.
For these 2 days of biomechanical clinical placement, students are required to bring a volunteer to be a ‘patient’ in the clinic. Please ensure that the same volunteer is available for both days.
On Day 1, students will practice and perform all the skills listed on Page 2 of the biomechanical assessment form. On Day 2, students will practice and perform all the skills listed on Page 1 of the biomechanical assessment form.
Students will receive feedback from the clinical supervisor during the day regarding areas that require improvement. Students can practice each skill as many times as necessary.
This is an individual assessment task. In some circumstances, students may have to work in groups (patient is unable to attend). In this instance, students must ensure that all members of the team contribute equally to the task. This must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the clinical supervisor.
Week 8 Friday (6 May 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Students are to upload their clinical skills log book as evidence of completion of this task.
Students will be examined based on their assessment, presentation skills, and evaluation of their ‘patient’. During the course of the day, students will be required to present their assessment findings to the clinical supervisor. Students may be asked to demonstrate selected assessment components, and/or be posed questions regarding your presentation and evaluation. Students will be required to be at a competent level for every criteria and at an ‘Overall Competent’ level by the end of the 2 placement days. If students are assessed as ‘not competent’, they will be able to practice the skill again and request to be re-assessed within the same day.
- Assess podiatric cases involving clinical biomechanics of the lower limb, and interpret and analyse findings
- Develop, implement, and evaluate podiatric interventions for patients with common biomechanical pathologies of the lower limb
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
4 Presentation
Students will be required to provide a PowerPoint oral presentation worth 30% based on a biomechanical patient seen during clinical placement. The oral presentation will be up to 15 minutes long (including case presentation, assessment, management, and plan) with a Question and Answer session of 5 minutes. Students can choose to present 'live' or play a pre-recorded video presentation. The student must be present to answer questions during the Question and Answer session This is an individual assessment task. Referencing (if any) should follow Vancouver format.
Week 12 Monday (30 May 2022) 11:00 am AEST
Students are required to submit their powerpoint slides or presentation on their Moodle site. The presentation will be presented during the normal lecture time on Monday May 30th.
Exam Week Monday (13 June 2022)
Students will be marked according to a purpose made marking rubric which will be able available on the student's Moodle site.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate podiatric interventions for patients with common biomechanical pathologies of the lower limb
- Evaluate peer reviewed biomechanical literature to support decision making in podiatry practice.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
