In the 1930s, outbreaks of a mysterious febrile illness occurred with abattoir workers in Queensland in Australia.

Had a lovely chat with Shawn Hanlon who is a PhD candidate about his relatively new paper exploring patient features and clinical characteristics and how they may define certain subgroups of Achilles tendinopathy. Lots more to learn in this field and this is early work, but we discuss some of the juicy potential clinical implications.

Hope you enjoy!

And here is the link to the paper and also the 

1/ Hanlon, S.L., Pohlig, R.T. and Silbernagel, K.G., 2021. Beyond the diagnosis: Using patient characteristics and domains of tendon health to identify latent subgroups of Achilles tendinopathy. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 51(9), pp.440-448.

2/ And this is the bumper issue of JOSPT from 2015 that is all about tendinopathy: journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 45(11) 

Who Is Behind 'Talking Tendons'?

Dr Peter Malliaras

My passion and expertise is managing patients with long term tendon pain, sometimes referred to as t...

Read More

The emergence of syphilis in 15th century Europe caused widespread panic and finger-pointing as to the cause and origin of this disease. Unfortunately, the treatment at the time was as dangerous as it was ineffectual.

Many historical figures have been associated with syphilis; some will have certainly had it but others will be to cast aspersions against one’s character. This is because it is a disease of rare distinction that sits at the historical nexus of a sex, disease, moral depravity, and mental illness.

It would take centuries before the cause of syphilis (Treponema pallidum) would be known. However, despite all of our knowledge and available treatment of syphilis, we see the prevalence of this on the rise.

This is the story of syphilis.

LISTEN BELOW

Modern day surgery is synonymous with anaesthetic. Yet, it has only been that way since the mid-1800s. Prior to this, people either resided to their fate without surgery or faced the knife with little to nothing to numb any pain.

The story about the discovery of anaesthetic is both hopeful and tragic. Ether, the first widespread anaesthetic used, was a blessing to the world but a curse to those who discovered its use. However, it would revolutionise the care of patients and open the door to disciplines of surgery previously unimaginable.

This is the moment surgery changed forever. This is the story about the discovery of anaesthetic.

Welcome to This Medical Life.

LISTEN BELOW