

Sports Medicine Project
Blake Withers
Join Blake as he dives into the world of Sports Medicine — from injuries and injections to running and performance. Perfect for clinicians and healthcare enthusiasts, this fortnightly podcast blends real-life clinical insights with evidence-based discussions to help you treat smarter and work better. With a background in research, biomechanics, and podiatry, Blake shares practical tips you can actually use to improve patient outcomes and stay up to date. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in conflicting advice on how to manage injuries — this podcast will cut through the noise.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 5, 2025 • 26min
Building Strong Bones: The Essential Guide #111
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Takeaways
Bone health is crucial for injury prevention.
Resistance training is essential for building strong bones.
High strain rates and magnitudes are key for bone loading. In this episode, you will hear me talk about moving quickly to increase strain rate. I briefly touch on you can try to move the weight quickly (despite it moving slowly) and still a fast loading rate.
Bones adapt better to varied and dynamic movements.
Short bouts of loading can effectively stimulate bone health.
Recovery and nutrition are vital for bone remodeling.
Consult professionals for personalized rehabilitation plans.
Incorporate plyometrics for better bone stimulus.
Regular strength training benefits overall health.
Understanding bone mechanics can enhance athletic performance.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of understanding bone health, particularly in relation to stress injuries and rehabilitation. We explore the role of resistance training in building stronger bones and break down key principles for effective bone loading. You'll also hear why keeping exercises dynamic is crucial to prevent bones from adapting to repetitive movements. Backed by research insights, this conversation offers practical applications for improving bone health and preventing injuries—essential listening for athletes, clinicians, and anyone passionate about optimizing physical performance.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Bone Health and Injury Recovery
04:21 The Importance of Resistance Training for Bone Strength
08:45 Key Principles for Building Strong Bones
16:21 The Role of Variability in Bone Loading
23:48 Recap and Research Insights on Bone Adaptation

Dec 14, 2024 • 1h 31min
Dr Brad Neal - What We’re Getting Wrong About Patellofemoral Pain & How to Get It Right with Clinically Relevant Solutions #110
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Follow Dr Bradley Neal, Ph.D. & Dr Simon Lack, Ph.D. and their upcoming education. It is well worth it.
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Agenda. Chapters available.
Clinical recap - Foot orthosis and PFP, Surgical case rehab & PRP for chondromalacia patella - good or bad?
Understanding patellofemoral pain biomechanics
Evidence-based interventions
Strategies for long-term management
Impact of anatomical variations
Effective patient education
Optimizing foot orthoses and footwear
Gait retraining for pain relief
Developing return-to-running protocols
Exercise programming for symptom management
Tailoring rehabilitation dosages
Advancing sports medicine practice
Breaking down myths about patellofemoral pain
Exploring cutting-edge research in rehabilitation
Learnings:
Takeaways:
Patellofemoral pain is prevalent among recreational athletes.
Orthoses can be effective for patellofemoral pain management.
Loading strategies are crucial for rehabilitation.
Patient education is key in managing expectations and outcomes.
Biomechanics play a significant role in understanding knee pain.
Research is evolving, and clinicians must stay updated.
The relationship between pain and tissue capacity is complex.
Effective treatment requires a personalized approach.
Understanding pain mechanisms can improve treatment outcomes.
Collaboration between clinicians and researchers is essential for progress. Patient symptoms should guide treatment strategies.
Long-term pain is common in patellofemoral pain cases.
Expectations for recovery should be realistic and based on evidence.
Anatomical variations can significantly impact treatment outcomes.
Resistance training is crucial for joint and muscle health.
Education is a key component of effective patient care.
Research is needed to establish long-term treatment efficacy.
Individualized return-to-run programs can enhance recovery.
Understanding biomechanics is important for treatment planning.
Effective communication with patients can improve treatment adherence.
PMID: 39401870
PMID: 25716151
PMID: 29793124
PMID: 25558288
PMID: 26884223
PMID: 31475628
PMID: 25569281
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background of Brad Neal
02:56 The Journey into Patellofemoral Pain Research
05:20 Collaboration in Research and Clinical Practice
06:11 Case 1: Foot orthosis & PFP - Do or Don't?
07:39 Orthoses in Patellofemoral Pain Management
08:42 Evidence for orthosis and PFP
10:14 Loading Strategies for Patellofemoral Pain
11:25 Foot orthosis and different feet
17:06 case study 2: PFP need surgery?
25:29 Explaining chondromalacia patelli
30:12 Diagnosing PFP
32:14 Understanding Pain: Kneecap vs. Back Pain
33:21 Nociceptive Tissue and Treatment Tailoring
35:35 The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis
37:22 The Role of Physiological Changes in Pain
38:46 Prognosis and Long-Term Pain Management
45:09 Factors Influencing Pain Duration
48:45 The Impact of Structural Variations on Pain
52:01 The Role of Resistance Training in Joint Health
54:34 mindfulness and recreational runners with patellofemoral pain.
56:06 Dosing Activity vs. Traditional Exercise
01:03:49 Pain Neuroscience Education and Its Application
01:04:52 The Impact of Exercise on Osteoarthritis
01:05:18 The Role of Education in Patient Care
01:06:09 Innovative Approaches to Patient Education
01:07:23 Navigating NHS Waiting Lists
01:08:01 The Importance of Accessible Information
01:10:05 The Future of Patient Education
01:11:26 The Balance of Information and Clinical Guidance
01:12:53 Running Rehabilitation Strategies
01:13:34 The Mechanics of Running Retraining
01:17:00 Research Aspirations in Physiotherapy
01:21:35 Personal Insights and Future Directions

Nov 30, 2024 • 1h 22min
Navicular Stress Fractures - the Donald Trump of Foot Bones #109
In this episode of The Sports Medicine Project, we explore navicular stress fractures—a high-risk injury requiring a unique approach due to the bone’s anatomy, biomechanics, and healing challenges.
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We cover:
Anatomy and biomechanics of the navicular.
Risk factors: young athletes, biomechanics, and bone health.
Delayed diagnosis and the role of imaging (CT vs. MRI).
The debate over blood supply and its impact on healing.
Management strategies: non-weight-bearing protocols, surgery vs. conservative care.
Rehabilitation and return-to-sport considerations.
PMID: 8775123
PMID: 28110392
PMID: 39348218
PMID: 37489055
PMID: 33512847
This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
Support the show if it brought you value. The only thing we want to do the money is crate a better show and better resources
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00:00 Welcome to Season Two
04:31 Bilateral Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
22:05 Better Subjective Questioning
28:27 Neck of Femur Stress Fracture
31:39 Understanding Navicular Stress Fractures
32:35 Introduction to Navicular Stress Fractures
35:06 Incidence of Navicular Stress Fractures
35:15 Who Gets Navicular Stress Fractures?
36:57 Time to Diagnosis of Navicular Stress Fractures
38:20 Anatomy of the Navicular
41:46 Biomechanics of the Navicular
45:18 Risk Factors for Navicular Stress Fractures
50:27 Foot Stiffness and Navicular Stress Fractures
55:28 Diagnostic Tests for Navicular Stress Fractures
01:00:11 Differential Diagnosis for Navicular Stress Fractures
01:01:24 Understanding Mid-Foot Pain and Injuries
01:02:57 Blood Supply to the Navicular
01:03:32 Do Naviculars Have Blood Flow?
01:06:25 Healing Variability and Factors Affecting Recovery
01:09:49 Imaging of Navicular Stress Fractures
01:14:00 Differential Diagnoses Not to Miss
01:14:55 Management Strategies for Navicular Stress Fractures
01:14:58 Müller-Weiss Syndrome
01:15:14 Management of Navicular Stress Fracture

Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 14min
Fact, Myth or Crap? Bone Stress Injuries - #108
Addressing all the myths we hear about Bone stress Injuries and explaining the FACTS.
We're tackling a topic that’s often misunderstood—bone stress injuries. From runners to weekend warriors, many people have heard myths about these injuries that just aren’t true. In this episode, we're breaking down the myths and uncovering the real facts about bone stress injuries.
With Beau Tyrrell
https://www.instagram.com/stressfracturephysio/
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Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 22min
Clinicians: Meet Your New Assistant, Prevent Burnout, Getting Your time back - How Can AI Make Clinicians Happier?
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Jul 2, 2024 • 1h 40min
The Real Impact of Surgical Interventions: Fact vs. Perception. Professor Ian Harris - 107
Send us a Text Message.Ian Harris, an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Sydney and a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at UNSW, has published extensively on the effectiveness of surgical interventions.Key Discussion Points:Key Findings in Surgical EffectivenessEthics and ImprovementsUnderstanding PlaceboPersistence of Ineffective SurgeriesImpact of the COVID-19 PandemicClinician’s Role and Informed ConsentDiagnosis and Treatment DecisionsPRP and Other TreatmentsRethinking MedicineFeatured Books:...

Jun 17, 2024 • 57min
Clinical Week Review: Failed Heel Pain, Runner Rehab, Cysts as MSK Pain, Bone Stress, Blisters, MRI for Pain and More! - 106
Send us a Text Message.No guest this week legends,Clinical Case reviews + Social media & HealthcareSupport the Show.Clinical content to help you day to day:https://patreon.com/SportsMedicineProject?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSign up for a free weekly Research review about topics related to Sports Medicine straight to your email: https://gmail.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c3dca95db0740390c605a128e&...

May 26, 2024 • 1h 40min
Lisfranc Injuries: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery - Professor Martin Sullivan - 105
Send us a Text Message.We chatted about the details of Lisfranc injuries and midfoot osteoarthritis We explored the unique structures involved and why this injury is distinct. We discussed the key steps in diagnosing a Lisfranc injury, including the essential imaging techniques. We covered the various surgical options available and what these procedures entailed.We also addressed the potential risks of delayed intervention and the importance of foot orthoses and appropriate footwear...

May 5, 2024 • 1h 56min
Breaking Boundaries with Dr. Stacy Sims, PhD: Shockwave therapy, Physiology changes over the Lifecycle, Resistance Training, Injury Risk, Running, Males V Females Differences in the Clinical Setting, Menstruation Cycle Training - 104
Send us a Text Message.https://www.drstacysims.com/Dr. Stacy T. Sims is an internationally recognized exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist.Her research focuses on female athlete health and performance, challenging existing dogma and improving research on women.Dr. Sims authored the book "ROAR," which explores sex differences in training and nutrition across the lifespan.She has been named one of the top 50 visionaries of the running industry and one of the top 40 women changing the p...

Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 38min
Dr Nicky Keay - Hormones Impact Unveiled - Soft tissue, Skeletal Development, Performance, Injury risk, Rehab Considerations, Bone Injuries, Testosterone & Menopause - 103
Send us a Text Message.Explore the intricate relationship between hormones and performance in this podcast episode. Delve into common myths and truths about hormones, particularly regarding their impact on soft tissue and bone changes as we age. Learn about the nuances of the ovarian hormone profile and its influence on training and performance, including strategies to alleviate menstrual cycle symptoms. Discover the debate surrounding phase-based training and the considerations for women usi...


