14 Dec 2018

Winter 2018 - Lower Limb

The role of In Touch is to support our members by providing educational content from authors who are experts in their field, and this edition on the the various lower limb conditions, and aspects of treatment and rehabilitation is no exception. The articles range from recent research into the treatment of ankle fractures and Achiles tendinopathy, to hip arthroscopy and using ultrasound as a clinical tool.

Ankle fractures - an update of the evidence

The number of ankle fractures in the population is expected to increase significantly due to an ageing population and the increased participation of older people in sporting activities. This will potentially result in a growing demand for physiotherapy services. An understanding of the current evidence relating to this condition is needed to ensure the provision of high-quality patient care. In this article we present an overview of the current research on the assessment, prognosis, and treatment after an ankle fracture. We also offer our thoughts on how the existing evidence can be used to guide clinical practice.

Colin Forde and David Keene

 

The epidemiology of Achilles tendinopathy in UK runners

This article is a summary of a research project funded by the Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation (PPEF); it is not meant to be a formal research report but instead is here to report our findings in a way that is useful for clinicians. This project is the largest completed on the prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy and associated risk factors.

Seth O'Neill

 

Hip pain in active people; what's new in femoroacetabular impingement syndrome?

Hip pain is common in young, active people, especially those who play sports. Until recently it was a condition that was difficult to treat. This article discusses how our research team at the University of Warwick are undertaking pioneering surgery and, in close collaboration between the surgeon and physiotherapist, developing new ideas that will help people with hip injuries, “weekend warriors” or elite international athletes, to return to activity and sport.

Damian Griffin

 

Bedside Ultrasound imaging as a tool to rehabilitation prescription

Like many physiotherapists, I use an ultrasound scanner in my daily practice. Although, 10 years ago, I was an early adopter of this tool and I have had appropriate training in its use, I am not trained to be diagnostic and, importantly, do not claim to be diagnostic. This article is about how the ultrasound scanner is useful to me in my practice and why I use it with a considerable number of clients.

Chris Jerrett

 

Low back pain: an unsolved problem - how might physiotherapists help

The theme of our Physio First 2019 annual conference is “Hands On, Hands Off: what is the evidence?” Dr Mary O’Keeffe has kindly agreed to present the Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation lecture on Saturday 06 April 2019. To give our members a taste of what to expect from our excellent line-up of guest speakers, this article is an introduction to what she will cover in her presentation.

Mary O'Keeffe