Physio Podcasts

Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)

Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD), commonly resulting from car accidents, is a frequent source of insurance claims. Its symptoms vary widely, encompassing pain, stiffness, and neurological issues, and its severity is clinically graded from no complaint to fracture or dislocation. While recovery timelines differ, staying activeand using simple pain relief are recommended, whereas certain treatments like collars and decreased activity can be detrimental. Effective management focuses on reassurance and movement, while many popular therapies have been proven ineffective.

Quadriceps Contusion

The podcast discusses quadriceps contusions, commonly known as "corks," which are muscle injuries resulting from significant impacts, particularly in sports like rugby. It details the causes, symptoms, and grading of these injuries, ranging from minor Grade I to severe Grade III. We emphasise initial management using compression as a primary method to control internal bleeding, along with ice and elevation. Furthermore, we outline a rehabilitation process involving gentle stretching, early muscle loading exercises, and a high-repetition, low-resistance program to encourage functional muscle repair and minimise scar tissue formation. Finally, we highlight a potential complication called Myositis Ossificans, where bone tissue forms within the muscle.

Fatigue Mechanisms
& Recovery Protocols

The podcast summarises key findings from the provided text on exercise-induced fatigue, its connection to injury risk, mechanisms behind fatigue, and evidence-based recovery protocols. The document highlights the importance of comprehensive recovery strategies encompassing nutrition, hydration, sleep, and specific interventions like cold water immersion and compression garments.

Sports Injury Prevention Programs: Football, Netball, AFL

Injury prevention is crucial for success in both team and individual sports, as player availability directly impacts performance and team rankings. This conversation highlights that structured injury prevention programs, when integrated into training, can significantly reduce injury rates by 50-80%. Specific examples of such programs include FIFA11+ and Perform+ for football, the KNEE Program for netball, and FootyFirst for Australian Rules Football. These programs typically incorporate exercises focusing on plyometrics, neuromuscular control, and strength training to mitigate common sports-related injuries. Widespread adoption of these readily available programs is encouraged to enhance athlete durability and overall sporting success.

Copenhagen Adduction Exercise

A study highlighted in the British Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrated that the Copenhagen Adduction exercise significantly reduced groin injuries in male football players. The research found a 41% decrease in these common athletic injuries through the implementation of this straightforward strengthening routine. The exercise targets the adductor longus muscle, which is crucial as weaker groin muscles correlate with a higher risk of injury. Participants progressed through three resistance levels based on their pain tolerance, ensuring accessibility. Due to its brevity, the Copenhagen Adduction exercise had high compliance among the athletes. This finding suggests that incorporating this exercise into training regimens could be a valuable preventative measure against groin injuries, similar to the Nordic Hamstring Curl for hamstring strains.

The ACL Cross Bracing Protocol

The ACL Cross Bracing Protocol is a non-surgical method developed by orthopaedic surgeon Merv Cross OAM and Dr. Tom Cross for healing a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). It involves bracing the injured knee at a 90-degree angle, which closely aligns the torn ends of the ACL, facilitating natural healing and potentially avoiding reconstructive surgery.