In this episode, Patrick Dessaulles sits down with renowned physical therapist Erik Meira to explore the complexity of knee rehabilitation in high-performance athletes. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, Erik discusses the importance of mastering foundational principles—like force production, isolated strength testing, and the physics of deceleration—to optimize recovery and performance.

Together they explore:

• Why the knee is a uniquely complex joint for rehab

• Common pitfalls in return-to-sport protocols

• Practical insights for integrating force, time, and load into rehab

• What to expect from Erik's upcoming Knee Rehab course with PABC this November

Resources & Links: 🔗 Learn more and register for Erik’s course: https://bcphysio.org/product/complex-understanding-for-simple-solutions-knee-2/ 🔗 Explore Erik's work and blog: https://thesciencept.com

Connect with Erik:

• Instagram: @erikmeira

• LinkedIn: Erik Meira on LinkedIn

Bridging Research and Practice: Advanced Rehab for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

In this episode of New Directions, host Patrick Desaulles sits down with physiotherapists Melanie Soer and Susan Ting to discuss 3 studies and their personal experiential perspectives on rehabilitation following total hip and knee arthroplasty (joint replacement).

Together, they explore:

• Key findings from three important research articles on hip and knee replacement rehab.

• Common challenges and limitations in traditional post-op rehab approaches.

• How a whole-body, neuromuscular approach — blending Pilates and physiotherapy principles — can help improve long-term functional outcomes.

• How the same principles and techniques can be used for pre-operative care to prepare patients for surgery and improve post-op outcomes — not just recovery afterward.

Hip & Knee Arthroplasty Rehab: An Advanced Skills Workshop

• Dates: October 4–5, 2025

• Instructors: Susan Ting & Melanie Soer

• What you’ll learn:

• Latest surgical insights from a guest surgeon

• Practical lab work on neuromuscular retraining, postural control, gait analysis, and full kinetic chain rehab

• Hands-on strategies you can apply in clinic immediately — for post-op AND pre-op patients

Register for the course

Links Mentioned:

For full text versions of the below articles please reach out to PABC at info@bcphysio.org

Bennett D, Humphreys L, O'Brien S, Kelly C, Orr JF, Beverland DE. Gait kinematics of age-stratified hip replacement patients--a large scale, long-term follow-up study. Gait Posture. 2008 Aug;28(2):194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2007.11.010. Epub 2008 Feb 19. PMID: 18242996.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18242996/

Bhave A, Mont M, Tennis S, Nickey M, Starr R, Etienne G. Functional problems and treatment solutions after total hip and knee joint arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87 Suppl 2:9-21. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.E.00628. PMID: 16326719.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16326719/

Rahman J, Tang Q, Monda M, Miles J, McCarthy I. Gait assessment as a functional outcome measure in total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015 Mar 22;16:66. doi: 10.1186/s12891-015-0525-2. PMID: 25886558; PMCID: PMC4374376.

https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-015-0525-2

Before During and After hip and knee Joint replacement surgery

https://vch.eduhealth.ca/media/vch/FB/FB.130.B393.pdf

VCH Exercise Guide for Knee Replacement Surgery

https://vch.eduhealth.ca/media/vch/FB/FB.873.Ex.372.pdf

In this episode of “Digital Direction,” host Sean Cranbury (Director of Organizational Development, PABC) is joined by Andrea Burton, CEO of the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia. Together, they dive into the major advocacy efforts and organizational updates shaping physiotherapy in BC.

Key topics covered:

• ICBC Negotiations: Andrea discusses the challenging negotiations with ICBC over the new physiotherapy program guide and service terms. Through persistent advocacy, PABC secured important contract changes—especially around audit access and definitions of substandard service. Andrea highlights the importance of physiotherapists’ involvement and transparency in the process.
• WorkSafeBC Contract: The episode touches on evolving negotiations with WorkSafeBC, including business aspects of contracts and professional responsibility when treating patients who may not recover fully.
• Provisional Licenses & Rural Recruitment: Andrea updates listeners on the potential return of provisional licenses, which could help recruit and retain physiotherapists—especially in rural and remote communities like Haida Gwaii, where waitlists are years long.
• College Amalgamation & HPOA: They discuss the ongoing process of college amalgamation and the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), including the complexities of reviewing incomplete bylaws and the gradual enactment of legislation that will impact the profession.
• MSP Advocacy: Andrea outlines efforts to increase the basic MSP rate and eligibility thresholds, including presentations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and urging members to share patient stories to support the cause.
• CRA Audits: The conversation covers the risks clinics face around contractor versus employee classifications, recent CRA audits, and the importance of understanding the legal landscape for physiotherapy business models.
• New PABC App: The team introduces the new BC Online Community app, designed to provide members with real-time updates, support, and a transparent, collaborative space—addressing the need for better community engagement and open dialogue within the profession.

Throughout the episode, Andrea emphasizes the importance of strong, transparent advocacy and leadership to elevate physiotherapy’s role in BC’s health system, urging physiotherapists to stay involved and proactive.