In this episode of Front Line to Finish Line, we’re joined by Dr Jon Houghton, Consultant in Rheumatology and Sports Medicine at Fortius Clinic, and Chief Medical Officer for the FA of Wales and Surrey County Cricket Club. With extensive experience across elite football, rugby, and cricket, Jon takes us through the full journey of managing pars injuries.

We start with the basics, what a pars fracture is and how it presents, before diving into risk factors, prevention strategies, imaging techniques, and initial medical management. Jon also shares insights on rehabilitation principles, return-to-play timelines, and the use of anabolic bone agents like teriparatide. Whether you're new to pars injury management or working in elite sport, this episode offers practical guidance and expert perspective on one of the most challenging spinal injuries in athletes.

In this exciting new episode, physiotherapist Claire Speer is joined for the first time by her new co-host, Dr Ed Appleby! Together, they welcome Andrew Cuff, Consultant Physiotherapist, Clinical Director at Cora Health, and Council Member for the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Andrew shares his remarkable journey from military service to clinical leadership, offering insights into the future of MSK services, healthcare strategy, and the evolving role of allied health professionals.

We explore topics such as

• Andrew’s transition from the military and its influence on his leadership style
• The future structure of MSK services in the NHS
• The value and future of Diplomate Membership within FSEM and the proposed new college

Whether you're a clinician, a leader in healthcare, or simply curious about the forces shaping MSK care, this episode is a must-listen.

Join us for a special episode of the Front Line to Finish Line podcast series, coming in the form of a recent Out of the Blocks webinar, with the discussion led by Dr. Imran Sajid.

Dr. Sajid is Musculoskeletal & Diagnostics Clinical Lead for NHS NW London and GPwER in Musculoskeletal Medicine and also serves as the Clinical Lead (MSK and Diagnostics) for the Northwest London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups.

This session explores strategic approaches to SEM (Sport and Exercise Medicine) commissioning, its real-world impact, and practical implementation. Dr Sajid is supported by Dr Lesley Perkins and members of both the Faculty's Workforce Planning Group and Out of the Blocks Committee.

Learn more about workforce planning - https://www.fsem.ac.uk/workforce-planning/