Talar Mobilisation Technique

Objectives:

• Assess RoM of Talus within the ankle mortise
• Release connective tissue restrictions affecting the ankle joint
• Stimulate synovial fluid production within the ankle joint
• Stimulate afferent inputs to the CNS for elevating proprioceptive functions

Set up:        

• Patient position - seated with heel resting on the treatment table
• Practitioner position - distal to the patient's leg
• Medial thumb - on the medial Talar neck
• Lateral thumb - on the lateral Talar neck
• Both thumbs should be adjacent to each other
• Surface Anatomy Tips - confirm contact is on the Talus and not the Tibia

Action:

• Load the Talus to the end passive limit in the horizontal plane
• Force Application - 3-5 kgs (but must be tolerable by patient)
• Direction of Mobilisation - postero > lateral rotations at 1.5 seconds per rotation
• Repetitions - 6 rotations (to take at least 8-9 seconds) 
• ...

1st MtPJ Mobilisation Technique

Objectives:

• Assess QoM of 1st MtPJ structures
• Release connective tissue restrictions affecting the 1MtPJ
• Stimulate synovial fluid production within the 1st MtPJ

Set up:        

• Patient position - seated with heel resting on the treatment table
• Practitioner position - lateral to the patient's leg
• Proximal hand - stabilise the 1st Metatarsal at the neck
• Distal hand - use 'clamp grip' on 1st proximal phalanx
• Surface Anatomy Tips - isolate 1st MtPJ (do not include 1st IPJ)

Action:

• Action - at full traction position (extend), rotate, up-down, side-to-side
• Force Application - 3-5 kgs (but must be tolerable by patient)
• Repetitions - 6 repetitions (to take ~30 seconds in total)

Ted's Tips and Rookie Mistakes to Avoid:

All are revealed in the video.

The Cuboid Assessment Test

The Cuboid Assessment Test effectively helps you determine if the Cuboid is displaced resulting in the loss of relationship between the Cuboid and the 4^th & 5^th Metatarsal bases. The steps to perform the Cuboid Assessment Test are:

1. Position your client in a relaxed supine position with the foot resting on the examination chair or table.
2. Stabilise the rearfoot (Ankle & Subtalar Joints) in a neutral midrange position with your medial hand.
3. Apply a gentle dorsiflexion force (0.5 -1 kgs) to the plantar aspect of the 5^th Metatarsal Head
4. Ensure the dorsiflexion is isolated at the Cuboid:5^th Metatarsal articulation and is not including pronation at the MTJ.

Interpreting Test Results

• If the articular surfaces are congruent (Cuboid is in a functional position) the 5^th Metatarsal Head will dorsiflex easily from its resting position.
• If the articular surfaces are NOT congruent (Cuboid is in a dysfunctional or displaced position) the 5^th Metatarsal Head...

I had the opportunity to chat with Saskia and in this 12 minute interview, Saskia reveals:

• The happy accident that resulted in her studying podiatry [1:35]
• How a single foot mobilisation treatment helped a chronic knee patient [4:40]
• Insightful advice for practitioners concerned about 'hurting' patients with joint mobilisations [7:12]
• Why Saskia doesn't want doctors referring patients to her clinic [8:45]

AND an extraordinary inclusion where Saskia made me 'lost for words' and even blush! 

Rigid Cavus feet can be a source of frustration when you have limited treatment options.

New treatment options for rigid Cavus feet that improves MTJ and FFT mobility immediately is coming your way!

Be the first to get all the details, CLICK HERE

Sports Physio specialist, Andrew Wynd of Balwyn Sports & Physiotherapy Centre continues his candid discussion where you'll discover:

• How to deal with professional 'boredom'
• What to do when a treatment doesn't work
• Why physios are not competent at finding and treating the Cuboid
• His new method of stabilising the Cuboid (a new paper in the making?)
• The best advice if you are contemplating leaving the healthcare industry (which is what Andrew was  considering)
• Why Osteopathy is growing like 'crazy' (and what physios and pods can learn from that)

PS NEW upcoming training in Advanced FMT 2+ Neuro-based manipulations - be the first to get the details, CLICK HERE

 Sports Physio  Specialist with a special interest in the foot and leg generously reveals:

• Why it is essential for every physio to be a master of the foot and ankle
• Why Cuboids are a 'bit of a mystery'
• How to treat joints that don't move
• The best way to justify '... I must be right and you must be wrong.'
• His insight that 'holds health professionals back'
• The #1 factor that limits your effectiveness, reach and ability to help people'

PS NEW upcoming training in Advanced FMT 2+ Neuro-based manipulations - be the first to get the details, CLICK HERE

Mark Hoyland, respected podiatrist and Manual Therapies (MT) Master of Canberra AUS, reviews his experiences of the FMT Intensive training in Byron Bay.

Key 'takeaways' Mark highlights:

• Why Mark has completed 6 FMT trainings over 12 years of MT CPD
• How 8 new manipulation techniques will affect his treatment decisions
• What specific treatment option was a real 'eye opener'! 
• What made Mark 'fall in love' with his profession again? 
• Crucial advice he has for fellow practitioners ...
• Dancing Girls? Really? 

All this (and more!) in less than 4 mins!

In this interview with Alison, #2 of 3, Alison is pretty s**t hot about what it takes to be a P.S.H. health practitioner.

Other key highlights include:

• What chiropractors thought of a podiatrist 'adjusting' feet.
• MSK cases that Alison now helps (who previously would have missed out on crucial MSK therapies)
• A case study of a 53 y.o. female who was in such pain with her feet that she was literally contemplating taking her own life. Hear Alison's amazing care and treatment.