Musculoskeletal/Orthopaedic (MSO) conditions are a leading cause of disability in Singapore and globally, with significant implications for individuals’ quality of life. As primary healthcare providers, physiotherapists play a crucial role in the early diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation of these conditions across acute, primary, and community care settings. The MUSKUP Programme originated from a collaborative training initiative developed by National Healthcare Group (NHG) Allied Health Musculoskeletal Workgroup, aimed at equipping novice MSK physiotherapists with essential knowledge and practical skills. Since its pilot in 2023, the programme has successfully graduated two batches of physiotherapists from primary and community care settings, receiving excellent feedback for its effectiveness.
The refreshed Ortho-MUSKUP programme builds on the original MUSKUP programme to integrate orthopaedic skills with MSK skills. This learning programme offers a comprehensive refresher on common musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions, a clinical reasoning framework for differential diagnosis, and manual handling techniques for MSO assessment and treatment. The interactive workshops, centered around real-world case applications and hands-on skills training, will be led by experienced MSO physiotherapists from various clinical settings. Participants will gain the confidence and competence needed to apply evidence-based MSO physiotherapy practices in diverse healthcare environments.