The Physical Performance Show: Expert Edition: Dr Sue Mayes (AM) ‘Managing Foot & Ankle Injuries’
In episode 367 of The Physical Performance Show, sports physiotherapist Sue Mayes shares her expertise in foot and ankle injury management. With over 30 years of experience leading physiotherapy at the Australian Ballet and now a senior lecturer at La Trobe University, Sue provides groundbreaking insights into injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Sue discusses her innovative research on ballet dancers and athletes, highlighting the importance of calf strength, strategic exercise implementation, and challenging traditional approaches to stretching. She reveals how implementing targeted calf raises reduced injury rates in professional dancers, and explains why prolonged stretching can be counterproductive.
This episode offers a masterclass in foot and ankle assessment. Her practical advice spans from managing bone stress injuries to developing comprehensive rehabilitation strategies that support athletes’ long-term performance and recovery.
To listen to Episode 367:
Click the icon to listen to the interview on iTunes or listen using the Soundcloud player below:
Listen in as we delve into the following:
- Sue’s transition from Australian Ballet to La Trobe University
- Current research projects, including MRI studies on dancers’ and runners’ feet
- Importance of calf strength and injury prevention in ballet
- Insights on imaging findings and their correlation with symptoms
- Mechanisms behind improving range of motion through muscle recruitment
- Practical approach to exercise interventions for athletes
- Management of bone stress injuries and repeat imaging protocols
- De-loading strategies using air cast splints
- Recommended heel height for walking during injury recovery
- Stair running as a rehabilitation and conditioning exercise
- Use of anti-inflammatory medications in injury management
- Sue’s final advice on building trust with athletes and the body’s healing potential
