Clinical neurology

Module: Clinical Neurology

In this module, you as a student will learn to conduct a thorough neurological assessment to identify, map and understand nerve root involvement and other potential diagnoses where the nerve is affected. We delve into the subject matter to give you a comprehensive understanding of the clinical assessments required to make an accurate diagnosis and tailor a treatment plan for your patients.

Learning objectives:

Neurological assessment and evaluation:

• Learn to conduct a thorough clinical neurological examination. You will develop the skills to interpret clinical findings using myotomes, dermatomes, and reflex tests to identify nerve root involvement and other neurological conditions.

Myotome, dermatome and reflex testing:

• Perform and analyze myotome, dermatome, and reflex tests to differentiate between radiculopathy and radicular pain. These tests will help you map out where the nerves are affected and provide a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of the patient’s pain and disability.

Differential diagnosis:

• Understand the key differential diagnoses in neurology and learn to identify symptoms of more serious conditions that require referral to specialist healthcare. This includes recognising red flags such as myelopathy, cauda equina syndrome and other neurological disorders.

Neurodynamics and nerve function:

• Explore and understand the functional anatomy and physiology of nerves. Become familiar with the most common peripheral nerve diseases, nerve entrapment syndromes, and neurodynamic tests to assess the patient’s nerve function and identify dysfunction.

Clinical reasoning and treatment strategies:

• Develop effective clinical reasoning by combining neurological findings with other relevant data. You will learn to tailor and implement treatment strategies that are most appropriate for the individual patient, whether through manual therapy, neuromuscular training, or other evidence-based therapies.

Interdisciplinary collaboration:

• Understand the importance of collaboration between various health professions in complex neurological cases, and learn how to effectively communicate with other specialists to ensure optimal patient care.

Practical training and case studies:

• Complete realistic case studies and practical exercises to ensure you can apply the theory to clinical practice. This will prepare you to face the challenges you will encounter in real life.

This module will give you a solid understanding of clinical neurology and enable you to perform detailed neurological examinations with confidence and competence. Become part of our comprehensive and innovative study programme and take the next step towards becoming a qualified therapist with a deep understanding of neurological conditions.