MP Sports Physicians in Frankston, Victoria | Medical and health

MP Sports Physicians

Locality: Frankston, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 9770 2398

Address: Suite 1 20 Clarendon St 3199 Frankston, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.mpsportsphysicians.com.au

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25.01.2022 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE For more information, please call (03) 9770 2398

24.01.2022 Do you want to know more about the procedures performed at MP Sports Physicians? Click the link below to learn more about; - Autologous blood injections... - Platelet rich plasma injections - Iontophoresis - Shock wave therapy....and more! https://www.mpsportsphysicians.com.au/procedure-information/

24.01.2022 https://www.mpsportsphysicians.com.au/

23.01.2022 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE For more information, please call (03) 9770 2398

23.01.2022 Life after COVID-19: The importance of a safe return to physical activity. Written by Alice McNamara, Jane Fitzpatrick and Jacob Jewson. View the full article by clicking this link: https://www1.racgp.org.au/a/coronavirus/life-after-covid-19

23.01.2022 Fibromyalgia / Myofascial Pain Syndrome In its simplest sense, myofascial pain refers to pain that is generated by the muscles and connective tissues associated with the muscles. Unfortunately, although a clinical definition certainly exists, we do not have a diagnostic test to prove this condition and therefore it remains a diagnosis of exclusion. This can make it a frustrating diagnosis for patients as they can be experiencing quite high levels of pain and often feel that ...they are being told the issue is psychological if a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is offered. You may be aware that a true diagnosis relies on the presence of multiple tender points in the muscle. Associations include fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood disorders and irritable bowel syndrome. Although not defined as such, there is a fair chance that some autonomic nervous system dysfunction is playing a role. In a meta analysis performed in 2016, the only consistently beneficial treatment for fibromyalgia was exercise. Also potentially beneficial were neuromodulator medications and anti depressants. Most physical modalities had variable outcomes. Myofascial pain can occur in a local sense and also in combination with injury. Generally, more localised pain will have a much better prognosis, be less likely to require systemic treatment and rtespond more favourably to physical measures such as heat, massage and dry needling. The big caveat to remember when dealing with myofascial pain is the risk of a flare. Treatment needs to be gradual and systematic as excessive stimulation can result in enormous pain flares, potentially leaving the patient worse than when they came in. Did you know Dr Leesa Huguenin is an expert in the field of myofascial pain and dry needling, having presented nationally and internationally and authored peer reviewed articles, a Masters thesis and a book chapter on the topic. She has run a multitude of courses on dry needling for Doctors and Allied Health Professionals and continues to use the treatment effectively in appropriate patients in this clinic.

22.01.2022 A message from Dr Leesa Huguenin - Telehealth appointments To book a Telehealth appointment, please call (03) 9770 2398

21.01.2022 IRON DEFICIENCY Iron deficiency is much more common in athletes, particularly female athletes. Menstrual blood loss is one factor, but we also use iron in muscle growth and repair. This is not a problem if your dietary intake can keep up, but red meat is the best available source of iron and it can be hard to eat enough. Vegetable sources are harder to extract the iron from, putting vegetarians at more risk. If your iron stores go low enough, you can end up anaemic. In genera...l, athletes don’t get to this stage as they present with fatigue much earlier than that or are diagnosed on blood tests before symptoms start. In the general population, iron stores of 20 30 are considered adequate. In athletes , we aim for 50 to account for the demands of training and everyday life. See more

21.01.2022 At MP Sports Physicians we have a variety of enhancing treatments which can be done in our Mornington, Frankston and Narre Warren rooms. Some of which include Ultrasound, Low intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS), Shock Wave Therapy and Iontophoresis. To learn more about these treatments and how they can benefit you, click the link below. https://www.mpsportsphysicians.com.au/enhancing-treatment/

20.01.2022 Exercise and diabetes type 1, what you should know! By Dr Mona Shabghareh In patients with diabetes type one, the Pancreas ability to produce insulin is impaired. Therefore, this type of diabetic patients needs insulin replacement therapy to maintain their blood glucose level in the normal range. ... It is critical to take a proper dose of insulin to prevent hypo-glycemia or low blood glucose level. Many researches have shown that moderate levels of exercise can reduce blood glucose levels by multiple mechanisms and this effect is more significant if you exercise for a longer duration. The effect of exercise on blood sugar is additive to the effect of insulin and it can last up to 24 hours. On the other hand, high intensity exercise may lead to an increase in blood sugar level by increasing stress related hormones such as adrenaline and cortisone. In addition, injuries that may happen during exercise and sport participation can also increase blood glucose levels. So despite the fact that regular exercise have a lot of health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart and vascular disease, improving your mood, making your bones and muscles stronger and helping you to control your body weight, it can lead to hypo or hyper-glycemia or even be detrimental to your health if you do not know how much and what type of exercise suits you. The best way to ensure you are doing the correct thing is by consulting with an expert physician. However, some other helpful tips include; 1. Checking your blood glucose levels before and after an exercise session. It is safe to do exercise only if your blood glucose level is between 6.6-10 mmol/L. 2. Always have some quickly digested carbohydrate (such as fruit juice or barely sugar) available when you are exercising. 3. Eat something 1-2 hours prior to exercise. 4. Avoid dehydration. 5. If you want to inject insulin prior to your exercise session, use a site away from the exercising muscles to inject. 6. Do not drink alcohol after exercise as it dehydrates and lowers blood glucose level. 7. You should adjust your pre-exercise insulin if you are doing strenuous activity for longer than 1 hour. 8. Be aware of the signs of hypo-glycemia and stop if they appear. 9. Avoid exercising in extreme temperatures. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM), you should visit and be evaluated by a Sports Physician or Cardiologist if you are over 35 years old or have had diabetes for a couple of years or want to do any exercise that exceeds the demands of brisk walking. If youd like to book an appointment with Dr Mona Shabghareh, please call (03) 9770 2398 #MPSportsPhysicians #Sports #Health #Diabetes1 #HealthCare #Active

20.01.2022 CoFIT19 - Keep moving in your bubble! To see the full image click the link https://bit.ly/acsep_infographic_adult. Source: ACSEP

20.01.2022 Does exercise weaken or boost your immune system? Written by Dr DR MONA SHABGHAREH Every day our immune system protect us from a lot of pathogenic microbes and viruses that we are constantly exposed to. Immune function can be influenced by many factors such as genetics, stress, aging, nutrition, sleep and physical activity level.... Recent researches have revealed that a persons level of physical activity influences the risk of some infections, specially upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). URTI is an illness caused usually by a virus or bacteria which involves transmission through the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, pharynx, or larynx. Common cold, sinusitis and tonsillitis are examples of URTIs. In fact, when you do moderate intensity exercise, regularly, your susceptibility to illness reduces because this type of exercise boosts your immune system. Regular exercise increases white blood cell (bodys immune system cells that fight pathogens) function and also both directly and indirectly decreases stress hormones. On the other hand, strenuous exercise causes increased levels of stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisone) which suppress white blood cell function and have negative effect on the function of immune system. That is why vulnerability to infections increases for a period following prolonged moderate to high intensity exercise or an unaccustomed high intensity exercise session. Another possible reason for higher risk of getting URTIs after high intensity exercise is higher rate and depth of breathing during exercise and subsequently, higher exposure to pathogenic microbes and viruses. So if you want to boost your immune system and be safe, do exercise regularly, avoid overtraining, eat healthy, sleep enough, practice relaxation techniques and of course do not forget to be wash your hands and maintain social distance! If youd like to know more about the content discussed in this article, please call (03) 9770 2398 to book an appointment with Mona.

20.01.2022 DOES PRP WORK FOR KNEE ARTHRITIS? In 2013, the government made a decision that PRP was not an effective treatment for any musculoskeletal conditions based on the available research. They subsequently withdrew all medicare rebates for this treatment. Flaws in the research Unfortunately, much of the research that had been done into PRP was poorly designed and had poor selection criteria, meaning that they were not necessarily comparing patients with similar conditions. Likewis...e, much of it was done overseas, where the clinical indications for PRP are less stringent. We do offer PRP injections to our arthritis patients. We keep outcome data on all our patients for 6 months after their treatment. If your knee or other joint is not suitable for PRP, we will tell you. We will also offer alternative options for treatment. If your knee is suitable, we can give you the following information: 1. PRP treatment involves a course of 3 injections over 3 weeks with a cost of approximately $1065.00 (Pension discounts apply.) 2. PRP works best for inflammatory pain. This is aching after activity or aching and stiffness at night. 3. 70 % of people get a good response. 15 % get a small response. 15% get no change. 4. Those who do respond on average experience 70% reduction in symptoms. 5. Most people who respond will get 12 months improvement. 6. Many of those who wish to have repeat treatment at 12 months will only need a single top up injection.

19.01.2022 Its a really tough time for some... and thats ok. Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 Kids Helpline: 1800 551 80... Emergency: 000 Confidential Helpline: 1800 737 732 Mensline: 1300 78 99 78 Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 #itsokaynottobeokay

19.01.2022 OUR NARRE WARREN ROOMS Located at 65 Victor Crescent, Narre Warren. Our Narre Warren rooms are currently open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for appointments. If you'd like to book an appointment at our Narre Warren rooms, please call (03) 9770 2398

16.01.2022 Menstrual Cycle Change During COVID-19. Sharing some early results. By Dr Alice McNamara, Dr Rachel Harris and A/Prof Clare Minahan. To read the full article, click the link below: ... https://blogs.bmj.com//menstrual-cycle-change-during-covi/ See more

16.01.2022 Generalized Hypermobility. When should I be concerned? Article written by Dr Mona Shabghareh Basically a hyper mobile joint means a joint that can move easily beyond its normal expected range and having more than two hyper mobile joints is called generalized hyper mobility....Continue reading

15.01.2022 Lateral Elbow Pain: It’s not all ‘Tennis Elbow’! By Dr Matt Chamberlain Lateral elbow pain is a relatively common presentation to general practice as well as specialist sports medicine/musculoskeletal clinics. Whilst tendinopathy of the common extensor origin is the most common reason for presentation, less well recognised is radial tunnel syndrome (RTS). Radial tunnel syndrome presents with lateral elbow and forearm pain that may spread as far distally as the dorsum of the ...hand, and is related to compression of the radial nerve at a number of well-defined sites from the level of the radial head to the distal edge of the supinator muscle. In many cases it may co-exist with underlying disease of the CEO tendon (over 40% of cases) producing a recalcitrant lateral elbow pain that responds poorly traditional rehabilitation techniques. Some clinical features that may suggest RTS as the primary contributor to lateral elbow pain include: The location of pain in forearm the point of maximal pain is 5cm distal to the lateral epicondyle in RTS as opposed to at the Common Extensor Origin (CEO) itself. There is more likely to be significant nocturnal pain. There is increased pain with positions of increased nerve (neural tension) such as extending the elbow, pronating the forearm and flexing the wrist. Diagnosis is largely clinically based in RTS, and structural imaging including ultrasound and MRI is many circumstances may not help further elucidate the source of pain or compression. The incidence of ultrasound abnormalities within the CEO tendon (particularly the dominant arm) increases with age, and the presence of any tendon thickening, increased Doppler signal and enthesophytes needs to be considered in the correct clinical context. The predominant finding on MRI (if present) is the presence of muscle oedema in the distribution of the radial/posterior interosseous nerves. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) in most circumstances will be normal as motor function is uncommonly affected. Initial management once the condition has been recognised may include splinting the elbow (flexion and mid-pronation), anti-neuropathic medication (TCAs/Gabapentin/Lyrica), massage, neural stretching, and appropriate physiotherapy techniques. Pain that is not responsive to these methods may benefit from a guided cortisone injection or perineural hydro-dissection to the radial tunnel under ultrasound control, although results have been mixed in the literature. Surgical release of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) and superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) should be considered for those with symptoms of > 6 months duration, and case series report improvement in 67-92% of cases. If you'd like to discuss this topic with Dr Matt, please call (03) 9770 2398 to book an appointment.

13.01.2022 MP Sports Physicians COVID infection control policy Effective Friday 10th July 2020 In light of recent surges in COVID 19 infections in Victoria, the decision has been made to further tighten our infection control policy. PATIENTS... Patients attending the clinic are encouraged to wear masks if they have access to one. Patients should not attend the clinic if they have any cold or flu like symptoms. We no longer allow friends/ family or other support people in our waiting room due to increased risk of transmission and increased difficulties of contact tracing if a case is identified. Frail patients who are unsafe to ambulate alone may have a support person help them into the waiting room. Clinical staff will look after them from that point. Support people will be contacted to come back in at the end of the appointment. Children may attend with a maximum of one parent. Teleheath remains available for all consultations and is highly recommended where possible. If a telehealth appointment is conducted and the Doctor deems it necessary for the patient to attend to complete the appointment, there is no additional charge for that attendance. CLINICAL STAFF Clinical staff will wear face masks for all patient interactions. All staff will wear gloves for all direct patient skin contact, including physical examination. Our staff will not attend work if they have respiratory or cold like symptoms SUMMARY These infection guidelines have been put in place to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and the wider community and we thank you for your efforts in helping us to control the spread of COVID 19.

12.01.2022 SCIATICA Sciatica is an all-encompassing term to describe pain felt in the leg referred from a spinal source. Technically, it implies involvement of the sciatic nerve or of its nerve roots at the spine. When this occurs, the pain is described as lancinating, burning and severe. The patient will be able to draw a line with one finger to trace the pain. There may be true numbness or weakness in the distribution of the affected nerve.... In these cases, the pain results from irritation of the spinal nerve, most commonly from a disc protrusion. Interestingly, the pain can often be just as severe with a relatively minor disc injury as it can be with complete nerve compression. However, there are numerous other structures that can present with leg pain. Generally, the referral pattern will be a little more vague and is unlikely to be linear. Although there may be some alterations in sensation or feelings of pins and needles, there is no demonstrable nerve dysfunction on clinical examination. Considerations for this diagnosis include gluteal tightness, gluteal tendinopathy, facet joint related pain, sacroiliac joint pain and pain emanating directly from a lumbar disc (without nerve root involvement). Careful examination will definitely help to differentiate these and it is important to remember that most cases of back related leg pain do not need an MRI scan. Seeing pathology on a scan does not imply causality. In fact, it is rare to see a normal spinal MRI, even in someone with no symptoms. Clinical examination holds much more value. See more

12.01.2022 We are very excited to announce Dr Matt Chamberlain will be joining the MP Sports Physicians team! Dr Matt will be consulting from our Narre Warren rooms. Matt is a specialist with the Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians(ACSEP). He graduated from the University of Sydney in 1998, from there gaining extensive experience in General Medicine, Ophthalmology and Emergency Medicine, before settling full time into sports and musculoskeletal medicine. Matt has expe...rience in a wide range of sports from a local to international level. Amongst his major associations he has been involved in Australian Rules Football at both AFL (Richmond Tigers) and VFL (Coburg Tigers/Casey Scorpions) level. He has worked in elite netball with both the Melbourne Vixens (team doctor 2014-2019) and the Australian Diamonds. He has worked within Hyundai A-league at a senior and junior level (Melbourne Victory). He was the Australian Swimming Team Doctor from 2012-2018, allowing him to be involved at both a Commonwealth and Olympics games level. Currently his sporting roles include providing medical services to many Melbourne-based swimming squads (MSAC, Nunawading and Northcote), the Waverley Gymnastics International/Junior international squads and Southside Flyers (WNBL) team. We hope that you will join us in welcoming Matt!

11.01.2022 MY GP SAYS I CANT TAKE ANTI INFLAMMATORIES IS THIS TRUE? Anti inflammatories are one of the most effective medication groups for the treatment of musculoskeletal injury and pain. As with all medications, they do have potential side effects. As with all medications they can be used safely, but with care.... Issues with anti inflammatories 1. Tummy upset. Prolonged use of these tablets can cause gastritis, reflux and even stomach ulcers. There are some tummy protective versions available if the symptoms are mild. We can also use acid reducing medicine to protect your stomach. Unfortunately, we would not ever recommend using anti inflammatories if you have had a stomach ulcer or have inflammatory bowel disease. 2. Risk of heart attack. This is most marked in males and post menopausal females. The risk is worse if you have other risk factors such as a strong family history, are a smoker, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. There are some anti inflammatories with lower risk, but we do aim to use them for as short a time as possible and not at all if you have other issues. 3. Risk to the kidneys. Because the kidneys metabolise the medication, if they are not functioning well, anti inflammatories can directly damage them further or indirectly damage them through effects on blood pressure and fluid retention. 4. Risk of bleeding. While this is rare, we avoid anti inflammatories before surgery or if you are on any other blood thinning medication. 5. Asthma. Some types of asthma can be worsened by anti inflammatories. Luckily there are alternatives. Where possible, we use natural options such as supplements. We also have an in depth understanding of the use of topical (cream) compounds to manage pain and alternative medications that will prevent any issues with your other medical conditions and still effectively manage your injury and pain.

10.01.2022 Does your menstrual cycle affect your ability to exercise? Or, are you interested in understanding it better? Dr Alice McNamara is currently doing her Sports Medicine Research into menstrual cycle tracking and elite female athletes. During the last few weeks, she has been involved presenting to the Victorian Institute of Sport Athletes and Coaches with their Sports Medicine team led by Dr Susan White. A few summary points: Female athletes have a monthly indicator ...of health; their menstrual cycle. Everyone is different, and getting to know it can give you more control. If it affects your sport, it is likely that it can be managed better. We would love to help. And, we think 1 in 5 female athletes have seen a change in their menstrual cycle during COVID! If you are interested in this topic and would like to discuss it further, please call (03) 9770 2398 to book an appointment with Dr Alice. Pictures: Dr Alice competing. #MPsportsphysicians #morningtonpeninsula #Mornington #Frankston #narrewarren #Berwick #sports #athlete #sportsphysician #Exercise ##menstrualcycle

09.01.2022 MP SPORTS PHYSICIANS COVID 19 POLICY Effective May 27 2020 As a result of the excellent response in Australia to COVID 19, restrictions have been relaxed earlier than expected. HOWEVER, we still need to be vigilant as COVID is a highly contagious virus and could quickly escalate again. At MP Sports Physicians, we will continue to offer telehealth appointments to all patients. We will also continue to offer face to face appointments.... We ask that you do not attend our clinic if you are unwell. Your appointment may still be able to be undertaken via telehealth from home. We ask that, wherever possible, ONLY ONE person attend each appointment to reduce waiting room contact. Please use the hand sanitiser provided on entering and leaving the rooms and adhere to cough/ sneeze etiquette. Please let us know at the time of booking whether you prefer face to face or telehealth. Both styles of appointment are equally effective. Telehealth is highly recommended for those over 70 or with pre existing medical conditions.

08.01.2022 Management Of Knee Arthritis So what is tradition? Panadol osteo, anti inflammatories, arthroscopic surgery, corticosteroid injections and knee replacement. (Usually in that order).... What is now in doubt? Panadol osteo certainly works for some people, but recent research indicates that some people will respond and some will not. In those who dont perceive any benefit, there is no point persisting with the medication. Anti inflammatories can be very helpful for pain relief and functional relief, but bring with them the risk of heart disease, kidney dysfunction, fluid retention and stomach ulcers and bleeds. Arthroscopic surgery is generally referred to as a clean out in the degenerative knee. Recent evidence suggests that this has no impact on pain and function of the knee, even in the presence of small degenerate meniscal tears. Combining this with the risks of anaesthetic, this surgery is now going out of favour. Corticosteroids may be reasonable pain relievers in late stage arthritis, but Corticosteroids have also been indicated in cartilage breakdown. This means that they are to be used with extreme caution in younger patients and those with less severe arthritis due to the risk of actually making things worse. Knee replacement remains the end of the line for arthritis. So what else is on offer? Supplements are often tried and there is some evidence that glucosamine, turmeric and SAM-E can work for some people. Anti inflammatory creams can often be more effective than tablets, but often need to be in higher doses and stronger formulations than those sold over the counter. Duloxetine is a medication that is recommended for knee joint pain. Sometimes the osteoporosis drugs can help knee joint pain. Injections of PRP (platelet rich plasma) or Durolane can help pain and function. Research is currently underway looking at whether stem calls can slow or reverse the process of cartilage loss. How do I know what is best for me? Have a chat with your GP and, if necessary, your Sports Physician about the best treatment for your knee. It may take a few scans to get things sorted, but targeted therapy is far more likely to have success than blindly following traditional remedies.

07.01.2022 QUICK TIP - THORACIC PAIN Thoracic pain is common, but thankfully, mostly it responds well to postural changes and manual intervention with a bit of stretching. Sometimes, it can hang around longer , radiate around to the ribs and cause significant dysfunction. Often, the pain becomes amplified by the spinal cord after it has been present for a few weeks and it can then be tricky to settle down. If you develop thoracic pain, here are our top tips.... 1. Avoid spending too much time leaning forward over laptops and handheld devices One option is to lie on your tummy on the floor while you are on your ipad. This puts you into extension. 2. Stretch regularly the thoracic spine needs to be mobilised into extension, rotation and lateral flexion. Even just raising your arm overhead and leaning a bit to the side can help relieve tension 3. Strengthen your back muscles. These are essential for holding your upper spine upright 4. Dont hold off on seeking advice treating it quickly can prevent the amplification effect and the need for medication to settle it.

07.01.2022 Get to know our doctors! DR MONA SHABGHAREH Mona joined the MP Sports Physicians team earlier this year. Mona consults from our Narre Warren rooms on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. ... Mona obtained her medical degree and Bachelor of Medical Science at Shiraz University of Medical Science (Iran) in 2009. Since then, Mona has been practicing in the field of Sport and Exercise medicine and in 2012 attained her sports Medicine fellowship. Mona has a keen interest in women athletes health as well as ultrasound guided tendon and joint injections. Her personal interests are tennis, Pilates and Zoomba! If youd like to book an appointment with Mona, please call (03) 9770 2398.

07.01.2022 QUICK TIP - HIP FLEXOR STRAINS These are most common in kicking athletes and result in pain with a active hip flexion (the kicking motion. It is most important to clarify the diagnosis and make sure that the hip, spine or abdominals are not the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, they are slow to recover and return to sport is not recommended until full strength, full kicking distance and full running speed are re-established.

07.01.2022 THORACIC SPINE PAIN Unfortunately, as our reliance on technology increases, so does the incidence of thoracic spine pain and pain referred from the thoracic spine. The basic issue is postural overload. More specifically, compression through the spine in prolonged flexion postures, lack of lower rib excursion in breathing and strength loss as a result of sedentary lifestyles.... Fortunately, most cases of thoracic pain will respond to manual intervention and strengthening, but it is important to be aware of the causative postures and try to avoid them The thoracic spine is not as mobile as the neck or lower back, but is still designed to flex, extend, rotate and laterally flex. Unfortunately, much of our working life is spent in flexion and then slumping in exhaustion on the couch at the end of the day. Simple measures to help improve thoracic function include regular stretch breaks, incorporating extension, rotation and lateral flexion movements. Also- consider upper back strengthening to hold the spine more upright. This can often be done with an exercise band and a door handle, so it’s not too onerous. If pain persists, careful clinical examination is required to try to identify the source of the pain. The thoracic area is complex. There are facet joints, costovertebral joints, costotransverse joints, discs and numerous ligaments on both sides of each vertebra. Sometimes it can be difficult to say where the pain is starting. This is one occasion where bone scanning with SPECT CT can be helpful to identify the inflamed joint, but, be warned, scans are often negative. If sensitisation is suspected, a trial of amitryptiline may help reduce pain. Occasionally injections are required. Rehabilitation of mobility and strength are ALWAYS imperative. If you would like to chat to one of our Doctors regarding this, please call (03) 9770 2398 to book an appointment.

07.01.2022 Aaaah, the age old question. If technology and design would just sit still for 15 minutes, we may be able to give you an answer that is relevant for more than a few months. Science vs Art Athletic shoe design is both a science and an art. The science comes in with foam density, last shapes, upper fabrics, cushioning technology and designs specific for pronating, neutral and supinating feet.... The art is the design. Colours, logos and branding are usually what sells shoes. Peer group preference is a far stronger influence on shoe selection than biomechanical advantages. Individual variation Of course, design trends change and science advances. As the customer, we are presented with a huge array of colourful shoes, with scientific model names and we are expected to be able to pick the one that is right for us. This wouldnt be much of a problem if we all had the same shaped feet, the same body weight, the same strength profile and the same demands on our feet. Clearly we dont. It also wouldnt be a problem if choosing the wrong shoe didnt have consequences. But it does. Quite commonly Sports Physicians are faced with injuries that are definitively caused by footwear choices. Even more commonly we are faced with injuries that are definitively perpetuated by footwear choices. This is not helping what do I do? As Sports Physicians, it is hard even for us to keep up with shoe changes. The best we can recommend is that you purchase shoes from a retailer with some training in foot analysis to ensure you are not too far off track. Dont go into any shoe purchase with preconceived preferences for brand or colour. If you have seen a Sports Podiatrist before, check in with them for current recommendations. Try your shoes inside the house first. If something doesnt feel right, take them back. And finally, parents, dont fall for the trap of letting your teenager just buy the shoes everyone else is wearing. Often, these companies have just channelled their funds into marketing rather than shoe design and engineering. By default, they then channel YOUR funds into medical bills and new footwear purchases!

06.01.2022 QUICK TIP - NOT ALL BACK RELATED LEG PAIN NEEDS AN MRI In fact, it is quite the opposite. The vast majority of leg pain is not referred from nerve root compression but is what we call somatic referred pain. Careful clinical examination can help to diagnose this. Even when a nerve root is being compressed, in most cases, it will recover spontaneously over 6-12 weeks and we just need to keep you comfortable during that time.... You DO need an MRI is there is dense numbness or weakness in an area of the leg or if you have developed issues with bladder or bowel incontinence as early surgery may be warranted in these situations. See more

05.01.2022 Get to know our Doctors! Dr Prasanna Gamage joined MP Sports Physicians as a registrar with the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP). He is dedicated to patient care in managing sports-related injuries, injury rehabilitation and prevention, and non-surgical management of chronic musculoskeletal injuries. Prasanna obtained his primary medical degree (MBBS) in 2008 from the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka. As a junior medical doctor, he worked in gen...eral medicine, general surgery and anaesthesiology. He has experience as a doctor in accident and emergency department in several hospitals in Australia since 2012. Prasanna has worked with sports teams, and event medical coverage with rugby, volleyball and cricket teams in Sri Lanka and in UK. In 2016, he served as the field of play doctor for men’s basketball at the Rio Olympic Games (IOC sports medicine graduate volunteer force). Dr Prasanna is currently consulting in our Frankston and Mornington rooms. If you'd like to book an appointment with Dr Prasanna, please call (03) 9770 2398

05.01.2022 COVID-19: Eight tips for staying in good mental and physical health during this challenging time. #mpsportsphysicians #morningtonpeninsula #covid #staysafe

05.01.2022 Over the school holidays our available hours at Mornington will be reduced. We are still available at our Frankston and Narre Warren rooms. Please feel free to contact us there. Ph 9770 2398... Mornington closed: Tuesday 30th June Wednesday 1st July Monday 6th July Tuesday 7th July Wednesday 8th July

03.01.2022 To book an appointment please call (03) 9770 2398. For more information, visit our website https://www.mpsportsphysicians.com.au/

03.01.2022 For more information, visit our website https://www.mpsportsphysicians.com.au

02.01.2022 QUICK TIP - ARE ALL ANKLE SPRAINS THE SAME? Short answer NO! Most commonly we injure the lateral ligaments. This can vary from a stretch to a rupture. Most of these injuries do well conservatively, taking between 4 and 12 weeks to recover. Medial ligament injuries are rarer and usually form higher force injury. These are important to recognise as there may be associated bony injury and they need aggressive conservative management at best, surgical intervention at worst. High ankle sprains are when the ligament between the tibia and fibula is stretched. These are slow to recover and often misdiagnosed. Recognition is essential as recovery is usually 12 weeks and can be much longer if pushed to return too early.

02.01.2022 MY STRESS FRACTURE PAIN HAS GONE CAN I RUN AGAIN? Unfortunately, just because the pain has gone, it doesnt mean that the bone is strong enough to run or resume sport. Bone strengthens through load. After a stress fracture, it needs to be gradually reloaded to allow the force lines to strengthen and prevent further damage. You can start some strengthening quite early and then progress to more dynamic loading, but just because the pain has gone at 2 weeks, it doesnt mean you are fixed. You still have 4- 8 weeks to go!

02.01.2022 Click the link below to download the COVIDSafe app. The COVIDSafe app helps find close contacts of COVID-19 cases. The app helps state and territory health officials to quickly contact people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. By downloading the app, you can help stop the spread of COVID-19.... https://www.health.gov.au/reso/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

01.01.2022 CALF STRAINS In most cases, calf strains are a one-off injury, most commonly in those over 40 and most commonly in the medial head of gastrocnemius. They recover over 4-6 weeks with rest and strengthening. Some people develop recurrent strain like episodes in the soleus. In these case, it is important to make sure that there is nothing else, such as nerve root irritation in this spine, contributing to their occurrence. Rehab is long and slow and involves strengthening of the affected muscle, but also the muscles further up the leg to ensure that the calf is not having to do too much of the work.

01.01.2022 Did you know...Dr Leesa competed in sport aerobics at a state and national level?Did you know...Dr Leesa competed in sport aerobics at a state and national level?