The concept of “drop”: what does it mean for the runner? (1 CME credit)

The concept of “drop”: what does it mean for the runner?

If we believed everything that was written, every athlete should now be running in a minimalist shoe, with minimalist gradient or “drop”, and that in doing so he or she would achieve perfect form, a more “natural running experience’, and far fewer injuries.

Tendinopathy – rehab progression – part 1 (0.5 CME credits)

This is a must read for anyone treating tendon injury. If you do not understand the progression of tendinopathy, and how that affects the management, you will be shooting blindfolded in relation to management!

Six Technologies Shaping The Running Shoe Paradigm

The humble running shoe is not as humble as it once was.Its function is still to cover the running foot and offer a measure of protection, though the demand of the consumer is for something that offers more than mere foot covering. In the past few years, the impact of converging events, ideas, and capabilities, has affected the running shoe industry as much as in the previous couple of decades combined. The future appears to be heading towards a new paradigm that is being shaped by a number of technologies that are truly improving running shoes.

Eye of Newt and tongue of Bat.. and let's throw in some orthoses too. Is it all just witchcraft?

I love things that work! I go to the store and buy the latest gizmo, turn it on and Voila! It works. I don't think too much about how it works.. actually I don't think about that at all. For the most part, my patients are the same.They do not want to know how a treatment protocol works, they just need reassurance that it WILL work! Knowing how a medical device, be it ESWT or acupuncture, works, is the domain of clinicians and researchers. Unless, that is, the medical device is a foot orthotic.

Food for thought: Two very different but very interesting new papers.

These two papers could not be more different, but they are hugely relevant to your clinical practice. Take a quick look!

Kluitenberg et al, 'What are the Differences in Injury Proportions Between Different Populations of Runners? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis' in Sports Medicine [April 2015] ...

Are you looking in the right place for the cause of your patient's tendon pain?

I have been meaning to write about this issue for a very long time, but got bushwhacked and distracted. But this is a really important issue, because the so called "metabolic Syndrome" is alive and well, and there is mounting evidence that your healthy looing patient who hobbles in with a nasty dose of Achilles tendon pain, might be suffering from this condition. And, if you do not know about it, and do not know how to recognise it, you will not be able to properly treat it...

Time for Cricket! But.. what shoe to wear??

Summer is rapidly approaching in Australia, and that can mean only one thing.. the thwack of leather on the old willow.. time for Cricket.

Now I have, over the years been very involved in the development of cricket shoes, and so it would be timely for me to give you a round up of what is available for the 2015/2016 season. But my mate and Taswegian extraordinaire Joe Brooks, along with fellow podiatrist Alex, and physio colleague Daniel  at Revive Motional Health have done it for me, and done a super job, so why recreate the wheel?

Joe is also a huge ambassador for mental health issues through the terrific organisation Beyond Blue and is working tirelessly to raise the awareness of this critical issue. In fact, next year he is walking the Kokoda Trail  to raise funds for Beyond Blue.. good effort

So, without further ado, take it away Joe!

Fatigue - what else does it do? Does it impact on biomechanics and injury?

So far we have discussed the effect of fatigue on a range of issues affecting the athlete. Now it is time to dissect the big two. Does fatigue alter lower limb biomechanics, and does it contribute to injury? Of course the answer to the former most likely gives the answer to the latter, so.. let's dig in and see what's what!