Dr Alana Dinsdale APAM started working clinically in 2012, predominantly in the musculoskeletal space, but didn’t initially think about getting into research.

However, after treating many patients with neck problems, and particularly temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), she realised there was a gap in the research for TMDs from a physiotherapy rehabilitation perspective.

Smallest worthwhile effect of ACL reconstruction

A group of Australian researchers conducted a benefit–harm trade-off study to estimate the smallest worthwhile effect of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction plus rehabilitation – compared with rehabilitation only – for improving knee function and return to sport. First author Fahd Dibsh agreed to answer some questions about the study. 

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.

In Australia, it is the most common chronic condition among people aged 45 to 64, affecting almost four million people.

Current treatments show only small to moderate effects and these are usually short-lived.

New research has highlighted a potential role for physiotherapists to work with coaches and players to effectively implement injury prevention programs like Prep-to-Play, an exercise-based injury prevention program developed for girls and women playing Australian Rules football. 

MOTOR RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION AFTER STROKE 

Researchers from Australia, the USA and the Netherlands summarised five years of research into motor recovery and rehabilitation after stroke. Two of the authors, Dr Emily Dalton and Associate Professor Natalie Fini, agreed to answer some questions. 

Entrapment neuropathies are a common group of conditions that affect small nerves as they pass through narrow anatomical spaces. 

Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, cervical and lumbar radiculopathies and Morton’s neuroma in the foot. 

Eliza Lawrence has lived with chronic pain since she was a child. 

Years of being dismissed and her experiences being invalidated by medical professionals have left a mark on her and on her mother Kim. 

For many people with osteoarthritis (OA), their beliefs about their condition and the way they manage it are strongly influenced by myths and misconceptions about OA, such as ‘exercise makes it worse’, ‘the pain is caused by wear and tear in the joint’ or ‘I need a joint replacement because my knee joint is bone on bone’.