Physiotherapy Blog. Sharing knowledge & Encouraging growth.
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.
Read MoreThe first aim for this blog was to highlight how we can break down the components of a dynamic balance test such as the SEBT, or understand the requirements for normal gait and stair navigation. The second is to emphasise the importance of making sure that our early stages of rehabilitation allow for sufficient time to help our patients develop the range of movement, muscle length and neuromuscular control to allow them to be successful when integrating these components together. I recognise that these exercises aren't radically new or fancy, heck they can be just down right boring, but when done right and combined with the education as to why, they can be hugely impactful.
Read MoreThis is a first for Rayner & Smale, which I hope paves the way for future discussions about optimising patient recovery, and involves a open dialogue between myself and my client Sophie. The idea stems from my continual drive to ensure that patient's feel engaged in their own rehabilitation and empowered to drive their own journey. But more than that, they need to know how and they need to want to do it.
Read MoreReflecting on a weekend of teaching I noticed a common theme as I transitioned from participating at the UCSF sports medicine conference to teaching an advanced track seminar at the NATA annual conference. This theme is something I've been brought back to over and over again, the continuum and transition between preventative and rehabilitative care.
Read MoreThis week we welcome Physical Therapist, Michael McGowan (DPT) to share with Rayner and Smale a unique case study about a complex combination of orthopaedics and oncology. Michael shares his experience managing a patient who following diagnosis of an osteosarcoma, was managed with a 3-part total knee replacement, fibular ORIF and radical resection of the distal femur. A complex orthopaedic procedure indeed, but the most challenging aspect to manage was cancer-related fatigue.
Read MoreThe forth and final blog covers the rehabilitation principles for retraining cervical motor control. Aside from discussing the initial two phases of rehab (activation patterns & coordination) we also compare the final stages of training for an office working, painter and athlete based on their functional requirements.
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