You move the way you train

November 12, 2017 by Sian Smale

Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD. is a world renowned physical therapist and house hold name in connection with movement system impairment syndromes (MSI). Shirley has been shaping the education system in the States for many decades and continues to be active as a clinician and teacher at Washington University. Recently, I attended her lower quadrant course on MSI of the lumbar spine and the influences of and relationship to the hip. This blog is an overview of the key messages I took away from the course.

Dear Physio - I can take it from here

November 07, 2017 by Sian Smale

This is just a short piece, a reflective piece, about a value that makes up the very core of what I believe in and what I strive to achieve as a Physiotherapist - empowering my patients with the knowledge and the skills they need to make them independent.

Ankle Syndesmosis Injuries - Assessment

October 18, 2017 by Alicia Rayner

Ankle syndesmosis injuries are becoming increasingly more common. Given we are seeing more syndesmosis ligament injuries, we need to ensure we are as effective at managing syndesmosis injuries as lateral ankle sprains.

Anatomy 101: Anterolateral ligament & rotational stability of the knee

October 13, 2017 by Sian Smale

Over the past four years there has been a resurgence in interest about a small little lateral ligament of the knee known as the anterolateral ligament (ALL). I’m not even sure I remember learning much about it during school, but with the number of ACL reconstructions associated with chronic rotational instability rising, researchers and surgeons have been diverting focus to understand what impact an ALL-deficient knee has on ACL recovery and regaining rotational stability. This blog is a refresher about the anatomy and biomechanical function of the ALL and what we currently know to be true about it’s role in rotational stability of the knee.

Physical Therapy in California part 5 - the finishing touches

October 08, 2017 by Sian Smale

I sat the NPTE October 27th 2016, almost 12 months ago, and this week was officially given my Californian License. This blog explains the final steps involved in gaining a license for Physical Therapy, while reflecting on the time which has past.

Anatomy 101: The windlass mechanism & great toe extension

September 15, 2017 by Sian Smale

Last month there was a strong focus on the foot and ankle complex and it is time to come back to an old biomechanical concept - the windlass mechanism. This time we look back at 1954, when J.H Hicks wrote about the plantar aponeurosis and proposed a biomechanical model explaining how diverse the function of the joints of the foot are between weight bearing and non weight bearing.