BRINGING SCIENCE TO TREATMENT
in Diagnose & Treat, Leg injuries
The plantaris muscle and tendon are considered unnecessary for the biomechanical function of the lower limb. Yet this benign muscle can cause problems if ruptured or involved in a medial Achilles tendon injury. Chris Mallac explains why, and how to manage an injury to either. The plantaris muscle (PM) is a small, thin, and spindle-shaped muscle... MORE
in Musculoskeletal injuries, Shoulder injuries, Uncommon injuries
A scapular fracture is rare in athletes, but one with potentially serious implications. Andrew Hamilton explains how it can occur, its diagnosis, and how the injury mechanism can affect the fracture type and rehab prognosis. Most scapular fractures in the human body occur as a result of a high-energy impact, such as a motor vehicle... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Hip injuries
Hip pain in active adults is common. Between 30% to 40% of adult athletes report chronic hip pain(1,2). Hip pain doesn’t just affect athletes. The number of adults in the general population diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement is 10% to 15%(3). Many with hip pain seek the help of a physiotherapist. Therefore, in 2017 a group... MORE
in Anatomy, Leg injuries, Pre-hab and post-surgical rehab, Uncommon injuries
Chris Mallac looks at the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for proximal hamstring ruptures in athletes. Although an uncommon form of hamstring damage (only eight to 12% of all hamstring injuries), an untreated rupture at the muscle origin leads to significant functional debilitation(1-3). The actual incidence of undiagnosed rupture may be much higher, thus accounting... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Joint injuries, Knee injuries, Pre-hab and post-surgical rehab
The high rate of reinjury after anterior cruciate ligament repair (ACLR) makes it essential that clinicians accurately assess an athlete’s readiness to return to sport (RTS). Many factors play a role in RTS decision making, not the least of which is knee extensor strength. Regaining quadriceps strength is one of the most challenging aspects of... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Leg injuries, Musculoskeletal injuries
Tracy Ward examines the principles of standard hamstring rehabilitation, expands them to differentiate by anatomical location within the muscle group, and shows how this translates into more specific rehabilitation protocols. Hamstring injuries are the most common soft tissue injuries seen in team field sports and track. The very high rate of re-injury (as high as... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Hip injuries, Uncommon injuries
Although relatively uncommon in athletes, the risk of a femoral neck stress fracture is nevertheless significant, especially in females. Andrew Hamilton explains the etiology of this debilitating injury, factors that aid a rapid and accurate diagnosis, and the nutritional defecits associated with its development. First reported by Asalin, a German military surgeon in 1905, a... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Shoulder injuries
In 2018 Jeremy Lewis, Ph.D. raised a controversial point in his editorial titled The End of an Era?(1) He proposed that surgery for subacromial pain may be unnecessary as the acromion may not impinge structures as once believed. He also presents physical therapy and exercise for shoulder pain as an equally effective strategy. He makes an... MORE
In the first part of a 2-part article, Chris Mallac explores the concept of neuroplasticity, and how a better understanding of its underlying principles improves rehab outcomes. Reinjury rates following return to sport are often quite high. In under-25 athletes for example, the incidence of another anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture (or ACL failure) run... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Joint injuries, Knee injuries, Uncommon injuries
In the first part of this series, Andrew Hamilton outlined the structure of the pes anserinus complex, the risk factors for injury, and the diagnostic criteria. In the second and final part, he explores the most effective treatment options and rehab protocols for athletes suffering from a pes injury. As explained in part one of this... MORE
