Isabelle suffered an ACL tear when landing from a jump while snowboarding in Niseko in March 2025. She details her journey from the early phase post-injury through the decision-making phase that resulted in her deciding to opt for non-surgical care until today, where she has had a Type III ACL heal (bronze medal heal). This episode is a great listen for anyone who has injured their ACL and is deciding on a treatment pathway.

Nigel Hartnett is an orthopaedic surgeon and knee specialist who has a reputation as a non-surgical surgeon. Nigel studied in New Zealand before completing his surgical training in Melbourne and staying to establish his consulting rooms. We discuss several topics on knee injury management, including ACLs, osteoarthritis, evidence-based practice, osteotomies, knee replacements and more. To book a consultation with Nigel, see his website: https://www.melbournekneeortho.com.au

In this episode, we have a discussion with Professor Ian Harris, an Orthopaedic Surgeon based out of Liverpool, Sydney. Ian is also an author, writing the books "Surgery: The Ultimate Placebo" and "Hippocrasy." We delve into Prof. Harris's thoughts and opinions on the effects of surgery, both physical and mental, the scientific evidence-based practice comparing the requirements for surgery vs medications, sham surgery, control groups, and what to look for when choosing a surgeon. We also explore the health benefits of weight loss for improving osteoarthritis, joint replacement surgery outcomes for knees and hips, and uncover Prof. Harris's thoughts on ACL reconstruction surgery, healing and the Cross-bracing protocol. 

The Knee Gurus is an educational podcast hosted by physiotherapist Bevan Colless. Bevan has a special interest in knee injuries and operates Asia Physio, with clinics in Niseko, Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko, Tokyo, Singapore and Okinawa.

In this week's episode, we speak to Dr Steven Duhig, No. 42 of the first 80 patients in the Cross Bracing Protocol case series of the novel bracing protocol. In this episode, Steven discusses why he decided to enter the protocol after rupturing his ACL playing football.  He has plenty of advice and feedback for people considering their management options and gives a view into the future of ACL management.

The Knee Gurus is an educational podcast hosted by physiotherapist Bevan Colless. Bevan has a special interest in knee injuries and operates Asia Physio, with clinics in Niseko, Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko, Tokyo, Singapore and Okinawa.

After a hiatus, The Knee Gurus is back to bring more content for people interested in best practice management of knee injuries.  
During our time off, a lot has occurred in knee injury management. 

Tech has made its way into knee management, with objective measures using devices made to measure strength and power. they are moving from the professional sporting club sphere into private health setting for the general public. We outline this move and have some interviews with key players in this area lined up.

The publishing of the Cross Bracing Protocol (CBP) has seen many people question long held beliefs around ACL healing and acute care management. We give a brief outline into the study and have some intervies lined up with researchers and participants.

 

We were very fortunate to share this fascinating story of professional rugby player Mitch Short, and the ACL rupture he suffered on debut. Mitch is joined by long-time NSW Waratahs and current Australian Wallabies team doctor Sharon Flahive, who was the treating physician at the time. 

In 2018,  Mitch Short was the third-choice scrum-half for the NSW Waratahs rugby team. Prior to a tour to South Africa to play the Bulls in Durban, first-choice half Nick Phipps was down with a calf strain, so Mitch was on the bench set to make his Super Rugby debut. With about 15 minutes remaining in the game, Mitch came on, and with one of his first touches of the ball, he twisted and felt his knee go numb. Mitch completed the game and even scored a try but the medical staff later confirmed that he had ruptured his ACL.

It became apparent very early on that Mitch was an 'elite coper' and continued to function at a very high level as the tour continued to Argentina. After the second-choice scrum-half Jake Gordon suffered a concussion, Mitch was next-in-line to make his run-on debut. But could he start a game of international standard rugby with a recently torn ACL? Listen in as we hear the full story from Mitch and Dr Flahive.

In this episode we speak with Professor Evangelos Pappas, Associate Dean and Professor at University of Wollongong, where he is working on development of the Health and Wellbeing precint and commencing research into long-term outcomes from ACL injuries

His research focuses on the aetiology, prevention and treatment of athletic knee injuries

Prior to his move to the University of Wollongong he previously worked at University of Sydney where he continues to head  a large team researching ACL injuries.

In this episode we talk about his career path in researching ACL injuries,  ACL healing and how the definition of healing may be causing some widely different healing statistics. We discuss ACL repairs and reconstruction and the pros and cons of each. We delve into the gender difference in ACL injuries and try to work out why females are at much greater risk. We talk about long term outcomes post ACL injury, discussing long term participation in sports, osteoarthritis rates and what we can do to keep people active and reduce the chances of arthritis. We also talk about how we need to avoid a inter-professional turf war and what to look for in choosing a health profession to get advice from on managing ACL injuries.

In this episode we speak with Orthopaedic surgeon, MMA fighter, ringside doctor and all-round nice guy, Dr. Alan Cheung. 

He has a special interest in martial arts and is a member of the Association of Ringside Physicians and is a certified Ringside Physician and provides coverage for several international combat sports events

In this episode we delve into the latest developments in ACL research and practice, discuss  his involvement in combat sports and why he puts his valuable hands at risk by continuing to compete in martial arts himself! We discuss the different types of ACL grafts and the pros and cons of each, and the difference in ACL grafts between countries, when is a good time to operate and what factors should be considered when deciding whether to operate or not. We finish up by discussing knee replacements.

In this episode we delve deep into the best options for people who have recently ruptured their ACL with Kieran Richardson. Kieran is a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist who has a Master's in Clinical Physiotherapy from Curtin University, and is founder of Global Sports Physiotherapy, a consultancy company of academics, researchers and educators offering formal mentoring second opinions for complex patient presentations. Kieran has a special interest in evidence based non-surgical management of the anterior cruciate ligament. 

https://globalspecialistphysio.com

 There is probably no one on the planet who has researched the best practice management of ACL injuries as extensively as Dr Stephanie Filbay.

 Stephanie is a physiotherapist graduate from La Trobe University in Melbourne in 2010 and was awarded her Ph.D. in 2016 on Longer-Term Outcomes after ACL injuries with a specific focus on quality of life. Stephanie was also based in Oxford University in the UK where she was a Senior Research Associate in Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences. She is currently a senior research associate and NHMRC fellow at the University of Melbourne and her research focuses on optimising outcomes for people with ACL injury and knee osteoarthritis.

In this episode we speak with Stephanie about all aspects of ACL management. 

We delve into the research behind the common beliefs around ACL reconstructive surgery (ACLR) 

Does ACLR reduce osteo-arthritis?
Does ACLR reduce the chance of meniscus tears on return to sport ?
What are the impacts of quality of life post ACL rupture?
Psychological aspects of ACL healing.
Can the ACL Heal? 
Optimal timing of the ACL surgery post injury. Shared  decision making process for ACL management and how to choose a surgeon.

See the links below to read the papers we discuss in the interview. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521694219300191?via%3Dihub

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2017/05/17/bjsports-2016-097124.full.pdf

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/16/1033.long

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/8/459

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1836955316000205

Welcome to the knee gurus, bought to you by Asia Physios founder Bevan Colless, here at the knee gurus we aim to bring you all the latest research and updates in knee injury management from world leading experts. So whether you are recently injured, recovering, getting back to full health, or a health professional, tune in weekly to keep up to date with all the news. 

Thanks for listening!

Jun Matsumoto is an early adopter of ACL healing. Using the teachings of Iihara on the intrinsic healing ability of the ACL together with an interest in human evolution he has created an ACL healing protocol that has seen a 90% success rate. This podcast delves into his protocol and we compare and contrast it’s difference with the Cross Bracing Protocol. We hope you enjoy this episode:

ACL Natural Healing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2607330746205491

In this episode of the Knee Gurus, we speak with one of Australia’s top knee surgeons, Justin Roe. Justin works at North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine, which is well known as the top knee specialist clinic in the southern hemisphere. Just has performed nearly 5,000 ACL reconstructions and many knee replacements and knee surgeries of all types.

In this episode we go in-depth into knee osteoarthritis (cartilage degeneration) and discuss the different phases of the condition, various treatment options and when to opt for a knee replacement. We also discuss various ligament tears and the role of surgery and range of motion restriction in optimising healing. 

I hope you enjoy this discussion with Justin Roe 

Lilliana France and Natalie Dau are a powerful Mother-Daughter combination based in Singapore. Natalie, a 14-year-old elite junior basketball player, and her Mum, Natalie, are elite amateur Ultra-Runners and fitness social media influencers. Unfortunately, Lilliana recently ruptured her ACL playing basketball, and after consulting with local doctors and Tom Cross himself in Sydney, the family decided to try the Cross-Bracing Protocol to facilitate the healing of her ACL. We hear their story of the injury until the pivotal 12-week post-injury MRI. I hope you enjoy this episode:

Lilliana’s Instagram:@lillianafrance_bball 

Natalie Dau: @rockstararms

In this episode of The Knee Gurus we’re very lucky to be joined by ACL rehab legend, Mick Hughes. 
Mick is a sport and exercise physiotherapist and founder of Learn. Physio, an online learning module for physiotherapists. Mick, along with Randall Cooper, is also a co-author of the Melbourne ACL rehabilitation guide, which was ground-breaking at the time for being the first to publish some concrete function based progression guidelines for post-operative ACL in opposed to time-based progressions.

In this episode we talk about how the Melbourne ACL came to be published, and what markers we should be aiming for at various stages post-surgery. We discuss open chain V closed chain exercises and how the Melbourne ACL guide can be used post-injury, for people who decide not to have the operation and if it can be used for people coming out of the Cross Bracing Protocol.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Mick Hughes.

This is one of my favourite episodes yet. 
James is a Master’s Sports Physiotherapist, working at the Stadium Sports Clinic in Sydney since 2012. He has been involved in the Cross Bracing Protocol since patient No. 1 almost ten years ago. He has assisted in writing the protocol therapist guidelines and educates physiotherapists on managing patients through the bracing regime. He has been involved with over 200 patients who have successfully undertaken the Cross Bracing Protocol and seen them return to having a healed ACL.

In this episode, we speak about the beginnings of CBP, what patients can expect if they go through the protocol, and some tips and tricks for managing the time with the knee at 90 degrees. We also discuss what he sees in the future of ACL management, and gives valuable advice for people who have just torn their ACL and are considering their treatment options.

I hope you enjoy this conversation with James Kazaglis.

The Knee Gurus is an educational podcast hosted by physiotherapist Bevan Colless. Bevan has a special interest in knee injuries and operates Asia Physio, with clinics in Niseko, Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko, Tokyo, Singapore and Okinawa.

Dr Tim Sayers is a renowned physiotherapist with a passion for optimizing rehabilitation through the use of technology and exercise science. As a co-founder of the Melbourne CBD Sports Physiotherapy clinic, Tim has established himself as a leader in his field. With a PhD in biomechanics and a special interest in ACL rehabilitation, he has developed an innovative approach that has made his clinic one of the best-equipped in all of Australia. 

During his early career, Tim completed a placement with us at Niseko Physio, where we saw first-hand his commitment to excellence. In this episode, Tim shares his insights on a range of topics, including strength training, power training, return to running, and metrics for return to sport and running. His data-based approach to rehabilitation is both effective and efficient, delivering results that speak for themselves. 

Join us for an engaging and informative chat with Dr. Tim Sayers, and discover the cutting-edge techniques that are revolutionizing the world of physiotherapy. using a range of data-based training and measurement machines. It reminded me of our Elite Therapy Clinics in Tokyo and Singapore. As a side note, Tim completed an undergraduate student placement with us in Niseko Physio in the early 2010s.

The Knee Gurus is an educational podcast hosted by physiotherapist Bevan Colless. Bevan has a special interest in knee injuries and operates Asia Physio, with clinics in Niseko, Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko, Tokyo, Singapore and Okinawa.

In this week's episode of The Knee Gurus we chat with Jess Cunningham, the author of the book ‘POP: When sports brings us to our knees’.

We discuss her book, the psychological nature of patients overcoming ACL injuries, our changing beliefs on ACL healing techniques, and Jess’s recommendations on how to get on the correct path to recovering  your mojo after tearing your ACL.

The Knee Gurus is an educational podcast hosted by physiotherapist Bevan Colless. Bevan has a special interest in knee injuries and operates Asia Physio, with clinics in Niseko, Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko, Tokyo, Singapore and Okinawa

In this week's episode of The Knee Gurus. We are lucky enough to chat again with rockstar researcher Dr. Stephanie Filbay. Stephanie is the first author of the recently published Cross Bracing protocol. We discuss the details of the Cross Bracing Protocol research, how we can decide who might be a good candidate for surgery vs. non-surgery, and get some inside information on the latest results from participants in the CBP. We also discuss the research on all aspects of ACL.

The Knee Gurus is an educational podcast hosted by physiotherapist Bevan Colless. Bevan has a special interest in knee injuries and operates Asia Physio, with clinics in Niseko, Nozawa, Hakuba, Myoko, Tokyo, Singapore and Okinawa.
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