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/

In this episode of Front Line to Finish Line, we dive into the world of aquatic therapy with leading expert Sarah Wratten. With over 27 years of experience as an aquatic physiotherapist, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the conversation. She shares what aquatic therapy is, how it works, and why it’s such a powerful tool in rehabilitation, from easing pain and improving mobility to supporting recovery across a wide range of conditions.

Sarah has worked across the NHS, private sector, and Ministry of Defence, where she served as Clinical Aquatic Therapy Lead for a decade. She’s treated everyone from individuals with no active movement to elite athletes, and her expertise spans musculoskeletal, neurological, rheumatological, orthopaedic, and sports injuries.

As Chair of the Aquatic Therapy Association for Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) and a tutor teaching aquatic therapy in the UK and abroad, Sarah is a true champion of personalised, effective, and enjoyable rehab in the water.

Whether you're a clinician, athlete, or someone on a recovery journey, this episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of how the pool can be a game-changer in rehab.

Pinder Aquatic Physiotherapy - https://www.pinderaquaticphysio.co.uk/aquatic-physiotherapy

In this episode, Claire speaks to Dr. Rod Jaques, Past President of the Faculty, to explore the latest updates to the FSEM Professional Code. We discuss the key changes, why they matter, and how they help SEM practitioners uphold the highest standards of care. From ethical decision-making to best practices in athlete welfare, Dr. Jaques shares valuable insights on navigating complex challenges in SEM. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, this conversation will provide essential guidance on maintaining integrity, professionalism, and excellence in your practice.

Welcome to another episode of Front Line to Finish Line, the podcast where we dive deep into the world of sport and exercise medicine. Our host Claire Speers speaks to fellow physiotherapist Chris Myers, a highly experienced and specialised physiotherapist in musculoskeletal medicine and sports injuries. Chris has over 20 years’ experience of treating both adults and children, working in elite sport, private practice and in the NHS, and currently splits his time between Complete Physio, elite sport and lecturing.

In this episode, we’ll explore how MSK ultrasound is revolutionising diagnostics, the role of injections in treatment, and how these techniques can enhance recovery for athletes and active individuals alike.

Chris Meyers - https://complete-physio.co.uk/team/chris-myers/

We return in 2025 with a fascinating discussion about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, better known as RED-S. Joining Ralph and Claire for this episode is Dr Margo Mountjoy, a sports medicine clinician scientist from Canada. Margo has an international focus at the elite level of sport extends from scientific research to knowledge translation, policy development, advocacy, and prevention.

In this episode, we talk all things RED-S, explaining what it is, gender differences, elite and amateur sport differences, what to look for and where to find available resources on RED-S.

Learn more about Margo - https://margomountjoy.com/

Dr Chris Speers is the Lead for the Faculty's Diploma in Exercise Medicine, which has now opened applications for its second sitting, taking place in February 2025.

Have a listen to the excerpt from our recent podcast episode with Chris, as he explains who is eligible for it, why you should do it and what resources are available to support exam preparation.

Learn more - https://www.fsem.ac.uk/careers-and-training/exams/fsem-diploma-exams/diploma-in-exercise-medicine/