Join Melbourne based clinicians and researchers Dr. Charlotte Ganderton and Dr. Michael O’Brien for their talk on hip research, concerns, testing and rehab in circus performers!
This lecture will present assessment, treatment options and considerations for hip-related pain (including hip dysplasia and hip instability) in circus. Specifically, it will unpack the diagnosis of hip dysplasia, inclusive of clinical testing, radiological investigations, strength, range of motion assessment and functional performance measures. A four-stage progressive rehabilitation approach will also be presented. Research application and sharing of results from an intervention cohort study will support the presentation and subsequent discussion. This lecture is aimed towards healthcare practitioners and circus arts coaches, to support the management of flexible hips in the circus arts environment.
Can’t make it live? ** RECORDING AVAILABLE ** for one week afterwards
This talk will answer the following questions:
– Overview of hip pain in circus performers
– Hip dysplasia in the context of circus performers
– Outline of exercise intervention program for circus artists
– Association of hip range of motion and bony hip morphology
– Effect of exercise intervention on hip pain in circus performers
More about the speakers:
Both Michael and Charlotte work as clinicians and researchers. Michael consults from Melbourne Orthopaedic Group and is a post-doc researcher at La Trobe University. He recently led an editorial in BJSM on Hip Dysplasia in athletes (https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108777). Charlotte consults from Alphington Sports Medicine and is a post-doc researcher and RMIT. She recently published an excellent paper on gluteal tendinopathy (10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103253).
Michael is currently organising a symposium: The Unstable Hip, which will have a variety of professions presenting on hip dysplasia, instability, pelvic floor, and more… (https://hersport.latrobe.edu.au/symposium)
Dr. Charlotte Ganderton has a PhD in Gluteal Tendinopathy, a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) and a Master of Physiotherapy Practice from La Trobe University. She has a passion for sport and performing arts, with specific experience working in musical theatre and circus – Matilda the Musical, SIX the Musical, and Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road (Final Tour) in Melbourne. Charlotte has a special interest in treating peripheral joint injuries (e.g. hip and shoulder), particularly those that cause excessive joint movement / instability. She is Senior Lecturer and Clinical Researcher at RMIT University and has received numerous awards for her research. Charlotte has published over 40 scientific papers, and presented at national and international conferences in the musculoskeletal management of the hip and shoulder. Her research involvement is extensive and includes topics of hip pain (femoroacetabular impingement, hip dysplasia, gluteal tendinopathy), shoulder instability and chronic ankle instability.
Dr. Michael O’Brien recently completed his PhD investigating impairments and outcomes in adults with Hip Dysplasia and is now working as a research fellow at La Trobe University. He also works clinically at Melbourne Orthopaedic Group (MOG) Sports Medicine as part of The Hip and Groin Clinic, treating a variety of patients with hip and groin injuries especially in the adolescent and young adult age group. As a postdoc research fellow Michael is currently setting up a national hip dysplasia registry and an RCT comparing physiotherapy and surgery for young adults with hip dysplasia. He provides regular education sessions and has presented at many international conferences and on Physiotherapy Master’s programs. He has worked as a physiotherapist for over 15 years across professional and recreational sport, hip and groin research, and various international clinical settings.
Access them online!
IG: @michaelobrien.physio
TWITTER: @MikeJMOBrien / Charlotte: @C_Ganderton