The 4th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport indicates that cognitive and physical rest is the cornerstone of acute concussion treatment. While acknowledging that the supporting evidence is sparse, rest is recommended for 24 to 48 hours post-concussion. The period of rest is suggested to encompass reduced or limited cognitive, physical and social activities by restricting school attendance, … Read More

Cortisone is a naturally occurring hormone that helps to regulate the body’s turnover of cells and other metabolism. It is part of the body’s response to stress. When chemically altered, it can be used as an injectable preparation to help with musculoskeletal problems, especially regional inflammation. Historically, cortisone has been used to deal with arthritic conditions of joints.   In … Read More

The use of orthotics for controlling foot postures is somewhat controversial. Recent fads such as barefoot running and minimalist shoes have challenged some long term beliefs regarding this whole industry. The word “orthotic” means to straighten and the general premise is that orthotics can straighten out our feet. The science underlying orthotics has developed far beyond straightening out crooked feet. … Read More

Light still shines in the darkness.  Sam’s Miracle It was a good morning. I was working with my 20 year old niece.  She was maintaining an A + average in her second year of science at the University of Winnipeg.  She is very interested in studying medicine, and wanted to volunteer with me at the medical clinic at the Mission.  It … Read More

You have seen in another post that there are five exercises you should really avoid but, on the optimistic side of the ledger, there are five exercises that patients and clinicians alike should be aware of. These five exercises incorporate exercise principles that allow them to be modified for people who have significant impairments or for people who are very … Read More

Having practiced medicine for over 30 years, I have noticed numerous significant developments. When I was in medical school, the human immunodeficiency virus and the entire AIDS syndrome was really an unknown entity. Also, a very interesting area of technology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI was in its infancy. This type of imaging was applied to the evaluation of musculoskeletal … Read More

The Bad Five – Five Exercises You Should Really Avoid People who try and exercise have their heart in the right place and are often intent on improving their health and functional capability. But there are certain exercises that can cause more trouble than they are worth. I will walk through five of my least favourite exercises. 1. The Sit-Up … Read More

Dynamic Valgus a Common Enemy The term “valgus” is one where a distant point in the body moves away from the midline. When referring to the knee joint, valgus means that the knee itself heads toward the midline, compared to the foot, which heads away from the midline of the body. This is commonly referred to as a knock kneed … Read More