Sports & Exercise Medicine Consultations

Sports Injuries

Dr O’Flanagan brings extensive experience in sports medicine, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries. He delivers evidence-based care for both upper and lower limb conditions, using his medical expertise and tailored exercise programs to promote recovery and long-term performance.

As part of his comprehensive sports medicine service, Dr O’Flanagan provides:

• Full assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and personalised rehabilitation plans

• A dedicated sports injury clinic

• Ultrasound-guided injections for targeted pain relief

• Concussion assessment and management

• Pre-event medicals and general health screening for athletes

We welcome referrals from other GP practices for these services. A radiologically confirmed diagnosis is required for ultrasound-guided injections to ensure precision, safety and effectiveness

Physical Activity & Health

“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health – Hippocrates 460-377 BC”

We believe physical activity plays a fundamental role in the prevention and management of chronic disease. There is now a large body of evidence to support the use regular exercise to improve the management and control of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, chronic respiratory conditions and psychological well being. Exercise can help reduce symptoms, prevent disease progression, and enhance overall well-being.

Insufficient physical activity and poor physical fitness are significant risk factors for premature mortality; achieving the recommended minimum level of physical activity is likely to reduce the risk of an early death by 30%. Physical inactivity and low physical fitness are independent of other risk factors and becomes even more significant when you consider the high proportion of the population who are inactive and lack fitness

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome refers to a clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly abdominal obesity (waist circumference), insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol panel. Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and also some common cancers.

Metabolic syndrome is a growing epidemic throughout the world. Approximately 1 adult in every 4 or 5, depending on the country, has metabolic syndrome. The incidence increases with age; it has been estimated that in people over 50 years of age, metabolic syndrome affects more than 40% of the population in the USA and nearly 30% in Europe.

Any three (or more) of the following factors constitute a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome:

1. Abdominal obesity: waist circumference in men ≥102 cm and in women ≥88 cm.
2. Raised triglycerides:
   1. >1·7 mmol/L.
   2. Or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality.
3. Reduced HDL-cholesterol:
   1. 1. <1·03 mmol/L in men.
      2. <1·29 mmol/L in women.
      3. Or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality.
4. Raised blood pressure:
   1. 1. 1. Systolic ≥130 mm Hg.
         2. Diastolic ≥85 mm Hg.
         3. Or treatment of previously diagnosed hypertension.
5. Raised fasting plasma glucose: Fasting plasma glucose 6.1 mmol/L

Treatment of metabolic syndrome can include a combination of lifestyle modifications and medication therapy, depending on individual circumstances.

Book a consultation with our doctors to diagnose and manage your sporting injury, or to discuss a personalised exercise prescription for you.

Please see here for physical activity guidelines.

Patient information for common musculoskeletal injuries