Check out the new RAD Lab Podcast episode #3 here
This professional development session has been designed to help educate allied health professionals on how we go through the rehabilitation process of an athlete that has gone through an ACL reconstruction.
9:30am: Introduction and welcome - Chris Radford
9:45am Session 1 - Surgical overview - Dr Luke Spencer
10:30am Session 2 - Early management - Caitlin Hughes (Physio)
11:15am Break
11:30am Session 3 - Strength assessments - Holly McEldrew (Physio)
12:15pm Session 4 - Early plyometrics and integration to running - Sarah Perkins (S&C Coach)
1pm - Lunch
1:30pm Session 5 - Jump assessments - Shane Pongho (Physio)
2:15pm Session 6 - Advanced plyometrics and change of direction - Tim Welsh (S&C Coach)
3pm - Wrap up
Surgical Overview:
What graft is used and why, when is a LET used and why, what are the implications of additional surgical repair eg meniscus repair
Early management:
Physio manual therapy to assist in restoring range of motion, early muscle activation and the use of BFR and Compex to assist with this, early gait retraining
Strength assessments:
Why are strength measures so important, what measures are taken at what time and how to take those measures
Early plyometrics and introduction to running:
When do we introduce plyometrics, what do they look like and how does it integrate into running
Jump assessments:
Why are jump assessments so important, when and how to add them in to your protocols and which tests we use.
Advanced plyometrics and change of direction:
How do we keep challenging the athlete with their jump and land work to prepare them for a return to competition, teaching change of direction to set them up for success
Dr Luke Spencer - Orthopaedic Surgeon
Luke is an Australian and internationally trained orthopaedic surgeon. He specialises in sports orthopaedic surgery including shoulder, hip, knees and primary joint replacement surgery. Luke completed his medical degree, in 2000, at the University of Melbourne.Following orthopaedic training in Victoria, he was admitted as a Fellow of the Australasian College of Surgeons in 2012. Luke then completed further training overseas at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Centre in Ontario, Canada.Here he developed an interest in managing sporting injuries, ligament reconstruction, biological knee reconstruction (cartilage and meniscal transplant), lower limb re-alignment surgery, patella stabilisation, shoulder tendon repair and stabilisation surgery.
Caitlin Hughes - Physiotherapist
Caitlin completed a Bachelor in Exercise and Sport Science before pursuing a career in physiotherapy. Upon completion of study she began working in private practice in Ballarat before moving to RAD in 2024. Caitlin is also working as a physiotherapist with the GWV Rebels Coates Talent League team. She is currently undergoing her Masters of Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy as well as ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach accreditation. Caitlin has an interest in lower limb injuries, particularly the knee and ankle.
Holly McEldrew - Physiotherapist
Upon completing her Physiotherapy degree Holly began working within private physiotherapy practices in Ballarat, before moving to RAD in 2022. Holly is currently the Head Physiotherapist for the GWV Rebels NAB League Team and was a part of the medical team at the Melbourne International Judo Competition working with Olympic and Commonwealth games athletes. Holly is currently undergoing her Masters of Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy as well as ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach accreditation. She has a special interest in lower limb injuries and working with the adolescent population.
Sarah Perkins - Strength and Conditioning Coach
Sarah began at RAD as a placement student whilst she was completing her Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science at Deakin before moving into full-time employment at the beginning of 2022. Sarah is an elite dancer and spent 15 years specialising in ballet and contemporary, moving across Australia to be the very best she could. Sarah has a strong interest in optimising movement and training for performance across all athletes and is currently completing her Masters of Strength and Conditioning.
Shane Pongho - Physiotherapist
Shane has over 10 years experience as a Physiotherapist working in clinics across Ballarat, and joined the RADcentre in 2022 whilst completing his Strength and Conditioning internship. Shane has a particular interest in ACL reconstructions, hamstring strain injuries and lower limb rehabilitation and return to sport, He enjoys taking athletes from the treatment table to the gym-floor and beyond.
Tim Welsh - Strength and Conditioning Coach
Originally from Warrnambool Tim relocated to Ballarat for his studies with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science. Tim began working at RAD in 2017, whilst completing his Masters in Strength and Conditioning. Tim has been the High-Performance Manager at the GWV Rebels and has spent time working with the Melbourne Storm, Victorian Men’s Cricket Team and Ballarat City FC. Tim loves to coach and is very particular in the way he does this to ensure each athletes gets the most out of their time at RAD
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