Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis: From research to practice - with Associate Professor Adam Culvenor

Associate Professor Annemarie Lee is a leading cardiorespiratory physiotherapist, educator and researcher whose work has helped shape how we understand and manage bronchiectasis in physiotherapy practice. This is the first episode of a two-part series on bronchiectasis. In this episode, we discuss subjective and objective assessment of people with bronchiectasis and provide an introduction to airway clearance techniques. A huge thanks to Annemarie for sharing your expertise. Use the timestamps below to jump to sections of interest. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Annemarie 4:50 What is bronchiectasis? 8:50 Other impacts of bronchiectasis – loss of physical function, pelvic floor dysfunction, low back pain, reflux, etc. 12:50 Emerging treatments 13:40 Objective assessment of people with bronchiectasis 21:30  Airway clearance techniques 25:00 Bronchiectasis Toolbox website 29:12 Strong Lungs website 31:50 Summary  Links and Resources: Bronchiectasis Toolbox Strong Lungs Annemarie Lee’s Research Profile (Monash University) If you find this content helpful, please rate and review the Physio Foundations podcast on your favourite podcast app—it helps others find the show. Stay connected: Read more at www.Perraton.Physio or follow the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Watch us on YouTube: Perraton Physio YouTube Channel Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn. Disclaimer: This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

In this episode, Associate Professor Jane Rooney explains the latest evidence for non-operative management of ACL injuries, including the Cross Bracing Protocol and associated research. This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.  Jane Rooney is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2009) and a facilitator and examiner for physiotherapists completing their specialisation through the College. She has extensive experience in sports physiotherapy, working with athletes of all levels, and is widely respected for her contributions to university and clinical teaching, including through the Physio Educators platform. In 2016, Jane was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate how knee injuries are managed around the world. She is now part of the research team investigating the effectiveness of the Cross-Bracing Protocol for non-operative ACL injury management. Thanks to Jane for a fantastic conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to key sections of the episode: In this episode: 0:00  About this episode and welcome Jane 4:10  Findings from Jane’s Churchill Fellowship: global ACL management and societal costs 7:16  Operative vs non-operative ACL management and patient decision aids 10:15  Case study: decision-making in ACL injury management 15:45  Bracing for native ACL healing: history of the Cross-Bracing Protocol 23:19  Non-operative management is not suitable for everyone 25:30  Bracing at 90 degrees: mechanisms and anatomical rationale 27:40  “ACL first aid”: preserving the option of non-operative management 30:30   Important! Bracing must involve a doctor, surgeon, and patient 33:36   Eligibility criteria, timeframes, and factors influencing ACL healing 37:05   Understanding the anatomy of ACL healing 41:45   Risks and medical considerations for referring patients for bracing 47:30   Future directions: non-operative care and evolving bracing protocols 59:50   Shared decision-making: pros and cons of bracing vs surgical care Jane referenced this study on treatment decision-making for ACL injuries: https://academic.oup.com/ptj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ptj/pzaf030/8075093 Find out more about the Cross Bracing workshop at physioeducators.com.au This podcast is free to access, but you can help us grow by sharing it within your network and leaving a review and 5-star rating. Thanks for supporting the show! Stay connected: • Read more at www.Perraton.Physio or visit the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page • Watch on YouTube: @PerratonPhysio • Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any health concerns or medical conditions.

On this episode, I welcome back Mick Hughes and Randall Cooper to talk about the role of exercise in health and physiotherapy practice. We also discuss the work they are doing with their education platform, Learn.Physio, and what they have learned over the past five years from interviewing and creating content with world-class clinicians and educators. Thanks to Randall and Mick for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to the relevant sections. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome back Mick and Randall 1:50 Exercise Matters podcast 8:45 How can graduate physios advance their exercise knowledge and skills? 11:35 What sets physiotherapy apart from coaching, exercise physiology, and other professions? 18:40 When to say “I’m not sure” and refer to other health professionals 20:15 Can we over-medicalise exercise? When is it actually appropriate to medicalise exercise? 27:38 Tips for engaging people in exercise – find out what’s important to them 30:15 The Learn.Physio platform – highlights from behind the scenes 36:30 How do you integrate new knowledge from courses into your practice? 40:30 Managing information overload as a graduate practitioner 42:07 Do students learn differently in 2025 compared to the past? 48:00 Learn online, but learn in person as well – don’t neglect your interpersonal and hands-on skills Links and resources: Check out: www.Learn.Physio Listen to the Exercise Matters podcast with Randall and Mick, and give them a 5-star rating and review on Spotify, Apple, or your favourite podcast player: Spotify Apple Podcasts While you're there, we’d also appreciate a rating and review for the Physio Foundations podcast—it really helps promote the show. Hit the follow button and give us a review and 5 stars! Stay connected: Read more at www.Perraton.Physio or follow the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Watch us on YouTube: Perraton Physio YouTube Channel Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn. Disclaimer: This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Nick Kane is the founder of the Sports MAP network, an educational platform for physiotherapists and sports medicine professionals and the former head physiotherapist for the Essendon Australian Rules Football club. Nick founded and consults at the Complete Balance Physiotherapy clinic in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, Nick discussed his experiences working in elite sport and how you can develop your own career in sports physiotherapy. Thanks Nick for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Nick 7:25 Experiences working as the head physiotherapist for the Essendon football club 9:45 Nick’s clinical special interests 11:45 The most important foundational knowledge and skills – clinical reasoning and rehab principles 13:50 Applying anatomy and pathology knowledge as a practitioner 16:58 Sports MAP 20:25 Challenges for graduates – distractions, impatience 22:50 Mentoring and developing strong clinicians 33:40 Developing a special interest area 43:00 Final thoughts We discussed the SportsMAP network: https://sportsmap.com.au/ Stay connected: Read more at Perraton.Physio or the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerratonPhysio Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Linked In. This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Narelle Dalwood is a neurological physiotherapist and Senior Lecturer at Monash University Physiotherapy. In this episode, Narelle and I discuss the foundations of neurological physiotherapy, including neuroanatomy and the pathology of common conditions such as stroke. Thanks Narelle for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Narelle 1:04 Common neurological conditions 3:14 Middle cerebral artery strokes 7:50 Heterogeneity - combining imaging, history and assessment findings 12:45 Defining terminology – infarcts and haemorrhagic strokes 14:38 How do you recognise a stroke? Timely recognition and clot busting drugs. 22:00 Upper and lower motor neurons 25:14 Reflexes and recognising serious neurological problems 33:25 Neuroplasticity 41:12 How to develop your neuro physio knowledge and skills – brush up on your neuroanatomy 54:30 Final thoughts Narelle mentioned these guidelines and resources for health professionals, patients and their families from the National Stroke Foundation: https://informme.org.au/  https://enableme.org.au/  https://sciptguide.com/ Stay connected: Read more at Perraton.Physio or the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerratonPhysio Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Linked In. This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Ellen Ball is a physiotherapist and Monash University Physiotherapy graduate who is currently completing a master’s degree in public health. In this conversation, Ellen and I discuss the study habits that helped her become a highly successful student, how to network effectively, and alternative career pathways after graduation. Thanks Ellen for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Ellen 1:50 Ellen’s foundations 4:20 How do you find and stay in touch with mentors? 6:05 How do you get your foot in the door in education and research? 7:38 What skills did you learn in the physiotherapy course that you now use in the workforce? 9:45 The most important foundational knowledge and skills for a physiotherapist 11:55 Developing interpersonal skills as a student and a new grad 14:10 Managing distractions in the era of TikTok and smartphones 15:25 What is public health? 18:55 Advanced study skills for postgraduate training 21:20 Prioritisation is a skill 25:50 What advice would you give to your younger self? 31:00 Improving health outcomes through public health rather than individual physiotherapy care 32:22 Final thoughts – ride the wave and be kind to yourself Stay connected: Read more at Perraton.Physio or the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerratonPhysio Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Linked In. This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Associate Professor Adam Culvenor is a Principal Research Fellow from the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine (LASEM) Research Centre, a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership Fellow and the head of the Knee Injury Research Group within LASEM.   In this conversation, Adam and I discussed the research he has led on post traumatic knee osteoarthritis including the OPTIKNEE 2022: consensus recommendations, the SUPER-Knee trial, the role of diet in managing osteoarthritis and the Australian Knee Injury Study. Thanks Adam for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections and follow the links below to find out more about Adam and his work. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Adam 6:00 The infrapatellar fat pad 8:10 Adam’s pathway into research – MRI outcomes after ACL reconstruction 14:45 Cartilage imaging studies leading into the SUPER-Knee trial 19:36 How does strengthening help with cartilage health after knee injury? 24:40 Role of diet in managing osteoarthritis 26:40 OPTIKNEE 2022: consensus recommendations to optimise knee health after traumatic knee injury to prevent osteoarthritis 30:55 Australian Knee Injury Study 35:15 Key takeaways – consider the need for imaging, be guided by the guidelines, get involved in research as a clinician or a student Read more about Adam here: https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/a2culvenor Be part of the Australian Knee Injury Study: https://www.kneeinjurystudy.com.au/ Adam discussed the OPTIKNEE consensus recommendations following traumatic knee injury: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/24/1393.citation-tools Whittaker JL, Culvenor AG, Juhl CB, et al OPTIKNEE 2022: consensus recommendations to optimise knee health after traumatic knee injury to prevent osteoarthritis. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2022;56:1393-1405. Read more about the SUPER-Knee trial: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/1/e068279 Stay Connected: Read more at www.Perraton.Physio or the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerratonPhysio Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Linked In. This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.

Bec Phillips is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and educator at Charles Sturt University. In this episode, Bec reflects on her fascinating career in physiotherapy and public health, including her work supporting the health of people in rural Kenya. Bec then explores her PhD research findings and provides practical tips for physiotherapists to help us understand how different types of people adhere to their rehab plans. Thanks, Bec for a great conversation.  You can use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections and follow the links below to find out more about Bec and her work. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Bec 9:11 Improving the health of people in Kenya – problem solving and applying physiotherapy skills on a global scale 22:30 How do you define adherence to rehabilitation? 27:50 What influences adherence in people with Achilles tendinopathy? 30:30 Profiles of people with low, moderate and high adherence. Practical considerations for helping different types of people adhere to their rehab plans 43:45 Collaborating with the patient about their health needs – not a consultancy 44:35 Can you help everyone? 46:40 What factors influence adherence? 56:00 Teaching patients how to build habits if they don’t have one. 59:00 Final thoughts Read more about Bec here: https://science-health.csu.edu.au/schools/health-exercise-sports/staff/profiles/physiotherapy/rebecca-phillips Follow Bec on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-phillips-b9b361175/?originalSubdomain=au Follow Bec on Instagram @moving_free_physio Read Bec’s research: Phillips, R., Hilton, C., Sousa Filho, L. F., Farlie, M., Morrissey, D., & Malliaras, P. (2024). Behaviour change and rehabilitation adherence in adults with tendinopathy: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(25), 6021-6033. Physio Foundations Podcast Summaries: You can find articles based on Physio Foundations podcast episodes at www.Perraton.Physio or on the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Visit our YouTube channel for more: https://www.youtube.com/@PerratonPhysio Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Linked In. This is a discussion aimed at health professionals and health professional students. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

This episode contains discussions about self-harm, suicide and sexual abuse, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 for 24/7 confidential support. If you are outside Australia, please seek support from a crisis service in your country. Dr Liam West is a Sports and Exercise Physician based in Melbourne, Australia and a fellow of the Australasian College of Sport & Exercise Physicians. In this episode, Liam, Zuzana and I discussed some practical aspects of how physiotherapists can work with sports doctors, what sports doctors want to know in your referral letter and updates, and common conditions where a sports doctor should be involved in patient care. We finish our discussion by focusing on the person rather than  the patient and talk about Liam’s approach to integrating biopsychosocial elements in patient care.  In this episode: 0:00 About this episode and welcome Liam – background and interests 13:00 What do physios do that Liam is jealous of? 16:00 How do you build a career in sports medicine or sports physio? 17:30 Describe a typical week for a sports doctor – consulting, surgical assisting, sports game coverage 29:06 Referring people to a sports doctor, what does a sports doctor want to know in a referral or update? 38:53 Should you arrange an MRI or other investigations before you send someone to the sports doctor? Practicalities of rebates and referrals.  When should a doctor be involved in managing fractures? 52:30 When should you refer to a GP and when should you refer to a specialist? 54:00 Mental health in sports injury rehab, difficult questions, mental health support for patients and health professionals/students 71:30 Influence of hormones on musculoskeletal health, screening for rheumatological conditions 79:00 The most important skills for a physiotherapist -  problem solving and active listening. Learn from other health professionals, be curious and vulnerable enough to admit when you are wrong 87:00 Final tips for career development Thanks, Liam for a great conversation. Read more about Liam here: https://alphingtonsportsmed.com.au/profile/dr-liam-west/ Follow Liam on X: https://x.com/liam_west?lang=en Read Liam’s chapters in the Brukner and Khan textbook (students I’m looking at you, read books!): https://csm.mhmedical.com/book.aspx?bookid=1970 Liam talked about the Tame the Beast website: https://www.tamethebeast.org/about We also discussed the SCREENDEM checklist for screening for rheumatological problems: https://rheumatology.physio/mini-blog-screendem/ Physio Foundations Podcast Summaries: You can find articles based on Physio Foundations podcast episodes at www.Perraton.Physio or on the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Follow @PerratonPhysio on YouTube, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Linked In. This is a discussion aimed at health professionals and health professional students. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

Dr Melanie Farlie is a Senior Lecturer in Monash University's Department of Physiotherapy. Mel is an educator, physiotherapy researcher and developer of the Balance Intensity Scale.  In part 4 of this four-part series, Mel finishes her quality appraisal of the quality of the study by Katherine Lawler and colleagues. Mel demystifies the process of data analysis in qualitative research and gives us some tips for using qualitative research in our study and clinical practice. Access the study here: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2343822 Follow along using the COREQ checklist here: https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/coreq/ In this episode: 0:00 Introduction to the episode 1:14 Who did the data analysis? Knowledge and perspectives of the team. Naming and identification of themes? The coding tree. Why does this matter? 5:45 How are themes identified? The coding lens – perspectives of the researchers. The inductive process - using the words of the people to make codes, vs predetermined themes. 10:42 Are there times when it is more appropriate to use a deductive process? 12:15 Relating qualitative research to what we do in the clinic, e.g. a subjective assessment 14:45 The difference between how you collect vs analyse data. Open vs closed questions 16:50 Software for qualitative analysis, feedback from participants on findings 18:20 Where should a busy clinician start? Look at the quotes from participants. Is there consistency between the data and the author’s findings? Is there diversity of opinions in the report? 28:03 Final thoughts – try to engage with research evidence. Resources to look at to get started and progress your qualitative research skills Read more about Dr Melanie Farlie here: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/melanie-farlie Follow Physio Foundations and Perraton Physio at our website www.Perraton.Physio or the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Visit our YouTube channel for more: https://www.youtube.com/@PerratonPhysio Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Linked In. This is a discussion aimed at health professionals and health professional students. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.