Complete Physio Podcast

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Thumb arthritis, or osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb (the first carpometacarpal or CMC joint), is one of the most common causes of hand pain. In this episode, Chris Myers is joined by Jennifer Parr, specialist hand therapist at Complete Physio, to explain how it is assessed and treated.

It is particularly common in middle age and beyond, and yet it is frequently misunderstood or poorly managed. Jennifer explains exactly what is happening inside the joint, how it is assessed, and the conservative treatment options available before surgery is considered.

What we cover:
- How CMC arthritis presents and why it often affects the non-dominant hand first
- Clinical assessment: pinch strength testing, MCP collapse, and what an X-ray does (and does not) tell you
- Splinting options: push splints, fabric comfort splints, kinesiology tape, and bespoke thermoplastic splints
- The specific stabilising exercises Jennifer prescribes and why generic thumb exercises can miss the point
- When to consider a corticosteroid injection and how to use the pain-free window effectively
- How ultrasound guided injection and diagnostic scanning adds information beyond plain X-ray

Surgery and post-operative rehabilitation are covered in a separate episode on first CMC joint replacement.

Jennifer Parr is a highly experienced hand therapist based at Complete Physio. She works closely with specialist hand surgeons and the wider clinic team to provide integrated conservative and post-operative rehabilitation for hand and upper limb conditions.

If you are experiencing base of thumb pain, our team can help. Visit complete-physio.co.uk or call us to speak with one of our hand therapists.

0:00 Introduction
0:32 What is base of thumb arthritis and how does it present?
3:44 Diagnosis: assessment, pinch testing and X-rays
5:57 Splinting options: push splints, comfort splints and K-tape
9:47 Exercises: stabilising the CMC joint
15:37 Injections: when to use them and how to maximise the benefit

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Does Arthrosamid work for knee arthritis? Chris Myers sits down with Stuart, an advanced practitioner in ultrasound-guided injections based in Somerset, to take an honest look. They cover how it works, who it is likely to help, what the latest pooled evidence shows, and how it sits alongside steroid and hyaluronic acid injections.

What they cover in this episode:
- How Arthrosamid works on the synovium and why results can last
- Realistic expectations and which patients tend to respond best
- How it compares to steroid and hyaluronic acid injections
- The latest pooled clinical data, including WOMAC score outcomes
- How to identify suitable candidates, including those with patellofemoral arthritis
- A full walkthrough of the consultation and injection procedure
- Post-injection recovery and what to expect in the first three months
- When to consider other options, including surgery

Stuart is an advanced practitioner specialising in ultrasound-guided injection therapy, running the Complete Physio satellite clinic in Somerset. He has performed well over 200 Arthrosamid injections and was one of the early adopters in the UK.

If you are living with knee arthritis and want to understand whether injection therapy might be right for you, the team at Complete Physio offer specialist assessments. Visit complete-physio.co.uk to find out more or to book a consultation.

0:00 Introduction
1:50 How Arthrosamid Works
4:51 Realistic Expectations
8:01 Who Is Suitable
9:49 Steroids and Hyaluronic Acid
13:12 The Latest Evidence
16:08 Patellofemoral Arthritis
20:11 The Consultation Process
22:14 The Injection Procedure
25:06 Recovery and Aftercare

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Dupuytren's contracture explained: how it progresses, the surgical options, and the hand therapy rehab that follows. In this episode, Chris Myers sits down with Jennifer Parr, specialist hand therapist at Complete Physio, to talk through everything patients need to know about Dupuytren's contracture.

Jennifer covers how the condition develops from harmless nodules through to full finger contracture, the different surgical options available, and crucially, the hand therapy rehabilitation that follows. She explains why that post-operative care is just as important as the surgery itself.

What is covered:
- What Dupuytren's contracture is and how it progresses
- When patients typically decide to have surgery, and the different procedures available
- What the surgery involves, including the Z-plasty incision and when skin grafts are needed
- What to expect at your first hand therapy appointment (around day five post-op)
- Wound care, dressing changes, and how the therapist and surgeon stay in close contact
- Thermoplastic splinting and why it matters overnight for three months
- Tendon glides, block and bend exercises, and early mobilisation
- Scar massage, silicone products, and keeping scar tissue supple
- Return to work, the gym, and racket sports timelines
- Jennifer's three key pieces of advice for a good outcome
- Recurrence, genetic factors, and planning surgery around your life

Jennifer Parr is a specialist hand therapist with extensive experience supporting patients through Dupuytren's surgery in close collaboration with hand surgeons.

If you or a patient needs specialist hand therapy assessment or post-operative rehabilitation, you can find out more and book an appointment at complete-physio.co.uk.

0:00 Introduction
0:31 What is Dupuytren's Contracture?
2:23 When to Consider Surgery
4:18 What the Surgery Involves
5:42 First Hand Therapy Appointment: Day Five
9:02 Scar Management and Splinting
13:47 Scar Massage and Silicone Products
18:07 Return to Work, Gym and Sport
20:25 Three Key Tips for a Good Outcome

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This episode covers knee and hip arthroplasty alongside hamstring avulsions, meniscal tears and ACL decisions.

This discussion looks at hamstring injuries, especially proximal tendon avulsions, and when surgical input is needed. We also cover how decisions differ between younger and older patients for meniscal tears, ACL reconstruction, and joint replacement. The conversation moves through real-world examples of injury patterns, rehabilitation, and how timing affects outcomes. You’ll also hear insights on patient-specific knee replacements, robotic and computer-assisted techniques, and the anterior approach to hip replacement, a method that helps reduce muscle damage and improve recovery. We talk about realistic recovery times, common risks such as sciatic nerve irritation and dislocation, and how surgeons decide when the “window of opportunity” for surgery is right.

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