First year me thought anatomy was hard, but second year me is here to tell you that MSK is a whole different ballgame! MSK (also known as Musculoskeletal Patient Management I and II in my program) is one of the most difficult classes in PT school (in my opinion). There are so many pathologies, special tests, etc. to learn, and you must have a strong anatomy background or you’ll find yourself relearning everything before each practical.
At Duke, this course is split into two semesters: upper extremity in the fall of your second year, and lower extremity in the spring of your second year. I just completed MSK I (upper extremity) last semester, so I figured I’d share with you guys what I feel helped me study and master the material in this course!
Step 1: Read your textbook
At the start of each section, the first thing I do is read and highlight my textbook. Thankfully my textbook is organized very well, with a review of the anatomy of the body part at the beginning of the chapter, and a breakdown of each pathology at the end. I do this before the class that we are supposed to learn a specific body part/section.
Step 2: Organize the pathologies
The next thing I do is organize the pathologies and special tests for the section. I make a word document with charts and helpful information. I make sure to try to put things into my own words for better retention and comprehension. I like having everything in one place so that I don’t have to keep referring to the textbook, so this works really well for me. I eventually print this out to highlight and add notes!
I also like to write the pathologies on paper. I condense the information, only writing what I think is most important. I also try to fit everything onto one page.
Step 3: Make flashcards
I recently discovered Anki this semester, and I’ve found it very helpful for MSK. Once my charts are made, I basically just turn the information into flashcards within Anki. Anki keeps track of when you need to review, which cards you know well, which cards you need more work with, etc. It is a great resource for spaced repetition, and it ensures that I don’t cram too much when it’s time for our cumulative practical at the end of the semester. It takes a little time to make the cards, but once they are made you’re set!
Step 4: Categorize the pathologies in different ways
My friend Yusra gave me this tip, and I love it! I categorize the pathologies to think about them in different ways. For example: I would make categories for things like “older adults”, “female”, “repetitive overuse”, “bilateral”, etc. and then list out the pathologies that fit with that category. This was a good way to compare and contrast the different pathologies.
Step 5: Practice, Practice, Practice!
Now all there is to do is practice! I did my Anki cards daily (or at least tried to), and I looked over my notes at least every other day. I would also watch videos that were provided by my professors and the textbook. After I felt comfortable with the information, I would complete practice cases with a classmate to prepare for the practical. I also made sure to practice relevant skills (special tests, mobilizations, etc.).
I hope this was a helpful post for anyone currently taking MSK or taking it in the future. This has actually turned out to be one of my favorite courses, and I am so excited to be learning MSK for the lower extremity this semester! Please reach out if you have any questions about how I study or PT school in general! Thanks for reading 🙂
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