Ian Horsley webinar Q&A

Upper-limb injury management in rugby is the main focus, with particular attention to why shoulder problems are so common in contact sport and how rehabilitation should be approached. Ian Horsley introduces his background in elite sport physiotherapy, then explains the demands placed on the shoulder in rugby, especially during tackling and scrummaging, where large forces act through the AC joint, clavicle, scapula, and glenohumeral joint. A major theme is that shoulder rehab should not focus only on isolated muscles. Learners can expect detailed discussion of the kinetic chain, scapular control, proprioception, fatigue, and the importance of preparing the whole athlete to absorb contact. He also describes research showing that repeated tackles reduce joint position sense, which may increase injury risk. The session covers practical management of AC and SC joint problems, clavicle function, labral injury rehabilitation, return-to-play considerations, and the limits of special tests. Key clinical ideas include prioritizing scapular upward rotation, assessing thoracic and rib mechanics, using movement-based retraining, and considering both physical and psychological factors in return to sport after shoulder injury.