Complete Physio Podcast

Knee Arthritis Pain? PRP Could Be Your Answer

What is PRP and how can it help with arthritis, tendon problems and joint pain? In this video, we explore platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, including the newer ACP Max system, and explain how this natural treatment uses your own blood to stimulate healing. Learn about the conditions PRP can treat, what to expect during the procedure, recovery timelines, and how it compares to steroid injections. Chapters: (00:00) What is PRP? (00:21) How PRP is produced from your own blood (00:36) Conditions PRP can treat (00:47) How PRP triggers the body's healing process (01:33) Common conditions: arthritis, tendons and more (02:23) How long does PRP relief last? (02:53) How PRP has evolved over the last 10–15 years (03:37) Standard PRP protocol: series of three injections (03:53) Introduction to ACP Max (04:20) ACP Max vs standard ACP explained (05:29) The double spin process explained (06:17) Higher concentration and healing potential (06:57) Tailoring PRP to tendons, muscles or joints (07:34) When will you feel pain relief from PRP? (08:16) PRP vs steroid: short-term vs long-term effects (09:03) Is the ACP Max procedure more painful? (10:06) What to expect during your PRP appointment (11:11) Why ultrasound guidance matters (11:52) Why local anaesthetic isn't used with PRP (12:34) Does PRP hurt? (12:56) PRP for knee osteoarthritis: the evidence (13:46) Can PRP injections be repeated? (14:23) Why timing matters with osteoarthritis (15:28) PRP as part of a wider treatment plan (16:48) Aftercare: what to do post-injection (17:21) Why you must avoid anti-inflammatories (18:11) When will you notice improvement? (19:37) How to know if PRP will work for you (20:44) Does age affect PRP response? (21:28) Can you treat multiple areas in one session? (22:12) Why imaging is essential before PRP (22:57) When PRP isn't the right option (23:40) PRP before knee replacement surgery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Knee Swelling? Arthrosamid Could Be Your Answer

What is Arthrosamid and could it help your knee osteoarthritis? In this video, George Bowens, a leading specialist in injection therapy with extensive experience using Arthrosamid in the UK, sits down with Chris, an experienced physiotherapist, to explain everything you need to know about this innovative hydrogel injection. They discuss how Arthrosamid differs from steroid, hyaluronic acid and PRP injections, who it's suitable for, what the procedure involves, and why structured rehabilitation is essential for the best results. 🧑‍⚕️ Complete Physio: https://rdar.li/4Y3K8Dr 🩻 Complete Injections: https://rdar.li/mZP48Vr 0:00 What is Arthrosamid? 0:30 How Arthrosamid differs from steroid, HA and PRP 1:44 How long does the relief last? 2:26 Why rehab is essential after the injection 3:40 The science: how Arthrosamid works in the joint 4:54 When will you feel the benefit? 6:01 Real patient data and outcomes 8:11 Which knee arthritis patterns respond best 9:55 Why Arthrosamid is a medical device, not a drug 11:00 Why you need antibiotics before the procedure 12:13 What to expect after the injection 13:10 Timing your injection around skiing, cycling and events 15:15 Great results in older and less active patients 16:31 Using Arthrosamid to delay or optimise for surgery 17:46 How to decide if Arthrosamid is right for you 19:02 Repeat injections after 3-5 years 20:19 Can you have both knees done at once? 21:42 Step-by-step: what happens on the day 23:29 The ultrasound assessment before injection 24:18 Does the injection hurt? 26:02 Aspirating fluid and the injection process 27:31 The first week after your injection 29:00 Starting physiotherapy and rehab 30:33 Pain relief, ice and managing swelling 31:26 Swelling vs infection: what to expect 32:08 Anti-inflammatories after the procedure 32:44 Who isn't suitable for Arthrosamid 33:06 Can Arthrosamid be used in other joints? 34:48 Can it be injected into a knee replacement? 35:08 The science of the hydrogel and synovium 36:20 Histology studies showing tissue integration 🌐 www.complete-physio.co.uk 📞 020 7482 3875 📧 info@complete-physio.co.uk The information provided in this video is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as your GP or a registered medical professional, before beginning any new exercise program, making significant changes to your diet, or taking any new medication or supplements. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Achilles Tendon Injuries: What You Need to Know with Sam Singh

🧑‍⚕️ Complete Physio: https://rdar.li/4Y3K8Dr 🩻 Complete Injections: https://rdar.li/mZP48Vr What is Achilles tendon elongation, why does it happen, and what can be done about it? In this podcast, Sam, a leading foot and ankle surgeon, and Chris, an experienced physiotherapist, explore one of the most common concerns after an Achilles rupture. They discuss how elongation develops during conservative and surgical management, how it presents clinically, why it's so difficult to reverse, and the surgical options available — including Z-shortening and FHL tendon transfer — when symptoms affect quality of life. (00:00) Why Achilles tendon elongation matters (00:35) The function of the Achilles tendon explained (01:15) Demonstrating how calf contraction moves the foot (01:53) What happens when the tendon heals too long (02:30) How elongation presents for the patient (03:18) Where in the recovery process things go wrong (03:37) Delay to diagnosis and the initial gap (04:41) Non-compliance with the boot protocol (05:24) Re-tearing during recovery (05:55) Ultrasound vs MRI for assessing the gap (06:39) Why stretching too early is a problem (07:12) Why elongation is so hard to reverse (07:51) Protecting the tendon from week 10 onwards (09:05) Can elongation happen after surgery too? (09:38) Living with elongation: lifestyle choices (10:22) Surgical options for an elongated tendon (11:17) The Z-shortening technique explained (13:14) FHL tendon transfer: what it is and why (15:35) When to use FHL vs Z-shortening (16:30) Realistic outcomes after salvage surgery (17:30) When to consider corrective surgery (19:08) Why clinical tests matter more than measurements (20:57) Patient factors in the decision-making process (22:50) Real patient cases from recent weeks (24:07) How clinicians and patients can help prevent elongation (25:13) Final thoughts and practical advice 🌐 www.complete-physio.co.uk 📞 020 7482 3875 📧 info@complete-physio.co.uk The information provided in this video is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as your GP or a registered medical professional, before beginning any new exercise program, making significant changes to your diet, or taking any new medication or supplements. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Achilles Rupture: The Conservative Treatment Protocol That Actually Works

🦶 Complete Physio: https://rdar.li/4Y3K8Dr 💉 Complete Injections: https://rdar.li/mZP48Vr What does good conservative management of an Achilles rupture actually look like? In this video, Sam, a leading foot and ankle surgeon with decades of experience, and Chris, an experienced physiotherapist, break down everything you need to know — from diagnosis and early management, to boot protocols, rehab, and the risk of elongation. 0:00 Introduction and why this follow-up podcast exists 1:54 Why time of presentation is critical for conservative treatment 3:15 What happens if you present late after a rupture 4:21 Understanding the tendon gap and why the ends must come together 5:10 The role of ultrasound in diagnosis 8:05 Why "partial ruptures" are almost never real 9:22 Using ultrasound alongside clinical assessment 11:42 Clinical examination: why it remains the gold standard 13:45 Conservative vs surgical: activity level and sport type 14:45 Elite sport and why surgery is always recommended 16:00 What good conservative healing actually looks like 17:00 Boot protocols: back slab, aircast and the VACOped 19:22 Boot options: pros, cons and what the evidence says 21:43 Early weight bearing and why loading matters 23:01 Step count, lifestyle changes and managing activity 24:54 Wearing the boot 24/7: sleep, showering and safety 26:04 The risk of rerupture in the shower and at home 28:15 Week 6 onwards: reducing the angle gradually 29:08 Why elongation is the biggest fear in conservative treatment 30:00 Stretching: what not to do and why 31:43 When physiotherapy actually starts to matter 33:40 Coming out of the boot: heel raises and footwear advice 34:33 When reruptures most commonly happen and how to avoid them 36:26 Muscle stimulators and managing calf wasting 38:25 Realistic return to sport timelines — and why you can't rush it 39:37 David Beckham's rupture and what it tells us about recovery 41:19 Conservative rerupture rates: then vs now 43:00 The SMART trial and when surgery should still be considered 44:07 Top tips for perfect conservative management 45:55 Testing for elongation: the clinical signs to watch for 🌐 www.complete-physio.co.uk 📞 020 7482 3875 📧 info@complete-physio.co.uk The information provided in this video is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as your GP or a registered medical professional, before beginning any new exercise program, making significant changes to your diet, or taking any new medication or supplements. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Your Chronic Pain Explained by a Physical Therapist

Understanding Chronic Pain with Lachlan Sutton | Complete Physio Podcast In this episode, chronic pain specialist Lachlan Sutton breaks down what chronic pain actually is, why it persists long after injury, and what you can do about it. We cover the difference between acute and persistent pain, why the "wear and tear" narrative around conditions like osteoarthritis is often more harmful than helpful, and how the nervous system plays a far bigger role in ongoing pain than most people realize. Lachlan explains the three types of pain, how to read the signs that something more complex is going on, and why movement — not rest — is almost always the answer. We also get into how physio for chronic pain actually works: from functional assessment and goal setting to graded exposure, fear of movement, and why education might be the single most powerful treatment of all. We discuss 0:00 Introduction & What Is Pain? 1:13 What Is Chronic Pain & When Does It Start? 2:28 When Should You See a Chronic Pain Physio? 4:56 Signs Your Nervous System Has Wound Up 6:26 Acute Injury Red Flags to Watch For 8:37 Pathways Into Chronic Pain 9:32 Osteoarthritis & The "Wear and Tear" Myth 13:00 Why Movement Feels Dangerous (But Isn't) 17:02 The Body as a Garden, Not a Machine 19:47 The Three Types of Pain Explained 23:01 How to Tell If Pain Is Structural or Central 26:48 When Scans Help (And When They Mislead) 33:00 Treatment Approaches: Where to Start 36:09 Fear of Movement & How Physios Address It 39:35 The Role of Passive vs Active Treatments 46:38 Are Patients Ready for Change? 49:59 Neuroplasticity & How Pain Can Unwind 53:11 Functional Assessment in Practice 56:17 Rethinking Posture & Core Bracing 59:31 Goal Setting for Chronic Pain 1:06:00 Awareness & Access to Chronic Pain Services in the UK 1:10:32 Building Trust With Complex Patients 1:14:00 Education as the Most Powerful Intervention 1:20:14 Lachlan's Favourite Patient to Treat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]