Tendons can be a pain in the neck. And the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, heel, …. Newly minted Assistant Professor with the Department of Physical Therapy at UBC, Dr. Alex Scott is well aware of the frustration and disability that tendon injuries cause patients on a daily basis. Tendon overuse injuries are all too common in workers; these injuries are known as Activity-related Soft Tissue Disorders (ASTD).
Rehabilitation and return to work is often slow and painful, not to mention costly. Dr. Scott’s research has two main goals:
- To improve our understanding of how tendons become injured and painful through overuse
- To investigate better treatment and rehabilitation strategies.
Recent work has focused on the role of Substance P, a neuropeptide produced in high levels in painful tendons. Given their interest in getting workers healthy again, it is no surprise that WorksafeBC is one of Dr. Scott’s biggest supporters. In December 2010, Dr. Scott delivered an update on “state-of-the-art” treatment for ASTDs to WorksafeBC medical advisors and policy specialists. He also engaged in a research roundtable with WorksafeBC to define both short-term and long-term research goals aimed at improving the care of workers with ASTDs.
Dr. Scott’s research has also been spotlighted by the Professional Association of BC (PABC), including presentations, publications and podcast. Dr. Scott will be presenting a webinar on tennis elbow on January 19, 2011. This webinar is available to all PABC members.