FootNotes Blogging

Ankling The Issues

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Standing Strong: Short Foot Exercises in Practice

A look into the evidence and clinical use of intrinsic foot exercises

Short Foot Exercises (SFE) is nothing new in the realm of allied health rehabilitation. Like many modalities a new paper, cultural event or social commentator brings the practice to a front and once again the ethics, efficacy and practicality of the intervention are widely debated.

That which has hindered the implementation of short foot exercises in recent years has been the attachment of the…

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Patient Retention: Why Saying Goodbye Is Not A Bad Thing

Patient Retention: Why Saying Goodbye Is Not A Bad Thing

Talking about patient retention in an open forum can be a taboo topic. But does it need to be? The Discussion about business as a health practitioner can be a source of conflict. The desire to help someone and do all you can to get them better but as a business having a bottom line to keep a close eye on. Some business’ look to combat this with KPI’s, some never let a patient go and others don’t…

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Hamstring Rehabilitation For High Performance Athletes

Hamstring Rehabilitation For High Performance Athletes

BANG! “Like a golf hitting my thigh”, “I thought the opposition player had kicked me”, “ It was like being shot!”

Just a few of the descriptions that are presented to us when someone has torn their hamstring. Anecdotally recurrent and career ending in athletes from the recreational to the elite if not rehabilitated appropriately and even then can be tenuous.

Hamstring injuries have plagued the…

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Taking The Spin Out Of Cycling and Orthotics

Fresh from completing my presentation at the Australian Podiatry Association State Conference (Victoria) my article on Taking the Spin out of Cycling Orthotics is now available

Cycling is one of the most popular recreational activities around the world. One of the most applauded learned tasks in growing up. And one of the more complicated topics to understand and master in the world of allied health. From the bikes and equipment themselves to the athlete who controls them and how the two form together to create a powerful sporting machine.

The following article comes…

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Rehabilitation of the Calf Complex

Rehabilitation of the Calf Complex

So often we have patients who come into clinic looking to be rehabilitated back to their sporting greatness only to discharge themselves from care when the pain reduces to a comfortable level or they are able to perform the basics requirements at training. Many times this results in re-injury, secondary injury or lesser performance as the athlete struggles to completely reach the level of play…

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Optimal Loading of Soft Tissue Injuries by Philip Young

Optimal Loading of Soft Tissue Injuries by Philip Young

Today’s article comes from soon to graduate La Trobe University podiatry student Philip Young.

Acute soft tissue injuries have traditionally been treated using the RICE method. Using this method, we are told that immediately following a soft tissue injury we must Rest, Ice, apply Compression and Elevate the affected structure. Whilst rest of affected structures is important following an acute…

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Going From Strength to Strength: Australian Athlete Development with Christian Woodford

Going From Strength to Strength: Australian Athlete Development with Christian Woodford

Today I catch up with Christian Woodford, Performance Coach and Director of Woodford Sports Science Consulting. Christian has become a leader in athlete rehabilitation and development over the last five years working with individuals to reach their personal best.

Christian Welcome!

The way you address athlete development appears very different to other strength and conditioning coaches I have…

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Marathon Season: Being Prepared

Marathon Season: Being Prepared

Marathon season is well upon us and Melbourne Marathon is soon to be under way. So for those who are about to embark on the long distance goal, here are some final tips to accomplishing your feat.

RACE WEEK

Race Pack Collection: If you have not managed to have your race packs delivered to you then make time to go and collect it during the week. Most likely this goal is something you have been…

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Alcohol Intake and Resistance Exercise

Alcohol Intake and Resistance Exercise

Alcohol Intake and Resistance Exercise

Although there is reported retorts by the up-coming Millennial Generation in regards to the consumption of alcohol, there is no doubt the substance has a huge cultural significance in Australian society – for better or worse. Celebrating? Commiserating? Socialising? Appreciating? Procrastinating?

I’m sure many readers have done it all! But I am also well…

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Cricket & Sesamoid Stress Fractures

Cricket & Sesamoid Stress Fractures

As the footy season comes to a close here in Australia, the cross over between winter and summers codes increases the stressers placed on the feet of our eager amateur athletes. Injuries sustained on the cricket ground will mostly come from repetitive action or direct impact. When comparing the amount of reported injuries by the British Sports Council during cricket (2.4 per 10,000 hours played)…

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6 Things Which Can Ruin a Run: A Short List From A Never Ending Story  

Not Warming Up…Properly “Warming up” is about more than just increasing blood and oxygen supply to the muscles before higher intensity training, although this is an important principle. Something that is more commonly over looked by runners is the priming and activation of muscles which are going to be utilized in the upcoming training session. Priming the muscles is important as it prepares them…

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The VISA – A: Indexing the Severity of Achilles Tendinopathy

The VISA – A: Indexing the Severity of Achilles Tendinopathy

Given that over the last 4 years I have published at least 3 article based on achilles tendinopathy I am surprized I haven’t discussed this topic earlier. The VISA-A questionnaire was developed by some of the greatest names in tendon research. It aims to provide a measurable outcome to determine the severity of achilles tendinopathy within an individual and can be revisited post intervention to…

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Decrypting the Language of Insoles

Decrypting the Language of Insoles

For most people when asked what an “in-sole” is, they would reply “something that you put inside a shoe”. To a degree this is true, although overly generalised. The word insole is an umbrella term for exactly that described above, however, there are a multitude of variations to insoles and their purpose for both footwear and individuals. The use of an insole may be necessary to improve foot…

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What I Didn't Learn At Uni and What I Struggled To Apply As A New Grad: Jessie Duff

What I Didn’t Learn At Uni and What I Struggled To Apply As A New Grad: Jessie Duff

It’s hard to believe that it is nearing 6 months since starting work as a new graduate podiatrist. This time last year I would have been in the midst of studying for mid-year exams and working two jobs on the side to get me through. Full-time work seemed a lifetime away, and the idea of myself as a graduate podiatrist was very idealistic.

As a 13-year-old I imagined my twenty-something-year-old…

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An Inside Look at Game Preparation with Richmond FC Player Brandon Ellis

An Inside Look at Game Preparation with Richmond FC Player Brandon Ellis

Today, I catch up with Richmond Football Club’s Brandon Ellis and find out what he does to prepare himself for a game and how things have changed over the last six years.

Jackson: You were picked up by RFC in the 2011 draft after working your way up through a number of representative and associate teams. How has your preparation before a game changed in that time and is there any superstitions or…

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Metatarsal Stress Fractures & Management

Metatarsal Stress Fractures & Management

It happens to everyone, you get a sudden urge to get fit, you increase a training load to reach that desired Personal Best, and you start a new job where you change from office desk jockey to trekking the pavement in shoes which were made for being a desk jockey. At first it’s a feeling of fatigue, your body, legs hurt, a couple of sharp pains here and here but hey, once you get home kick off…

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James Frawley’s Turf Toe Injury: What Is it?

James Frawley’s Turf Toe Injury: What Is it?

Turf Toe is a dreaded injury, specifically among those who play contact sport. The injury is associated with a constant jamming or hyperextension of the 1st (big) toe joint leading to an injury of the ligament supporting the joint or the joint itself. It will commonly occur on much harder grounds such as those made from artificial surfaces or those which have experienced significant drought. The…

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