About us
An experienced team of physiotherapists that are leaders in hip and groin injury diagnosis and rehabilitation.
What is The Hip & Groin Clinic?
Physiotherapists Andrew Wallis, Alesha Coonan, Michael O’Brien and Charlotte Ganderton form The Hip & Groin Clinic and are particularly skilled at managing complex hip and groin problems. The team work closely with many of Melbourne’s leading surgeons and sports physicians.
What will an initial assessment involve?
During your initial appointment our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your complaint and provide you with an outline of your treatment options.
At the start of the session, we will discuss the history of your complaint followed by a thorough clinical examination. Ultimately, we aim to identify the cause of your symptoms and provide you with specific treatment options and a management plan that best supports your day-to-day needs and physical goals.
What can I expect after my initial assessment?
Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment and management may include any of the following:
- Education regarding activity and lifestyle modification
- Competency based progressive strength program
- Movement pattern retraining to address any biomechanical faults
- Graduated return to sport or activity of choice
- Manual therapy eg. Soft-tissue massage, joint mobilisation, neural mobilisation
- Referral for X-Ray, Ultrasound or MRI scan if required
- Discussions with a GP or Sports Physician
- Facilitating referral to Sports Physician or Orthopaedic Surgeon if appropriate
How often will I need to visit?
This will vary depending on the nature of your injury and your desired goals. We focus on an exercise-based program and hence visits are less frequent than you may expect. Visits are ideally structured around functional progressions with your exercise regime graduated towards return to sport/function.
If you are an international, interstate or rural patient, we offer traditional face to face appointments or Telehealth options if this is more convenient.
Is a referral required?
No referral is required for an appointment at The Hip & Groin Clinic.
Can I claim this service as an extra on my health insurance policy?
A session may be claimed on private health insurance depending on your level of cover, please check with your private health insurance provider.
Meet the team
Andrew Wallis
Andrew is an APA Sports and Manipulative Physiotherapist who works privately at Melbourne Orthopaedic Group Sports Medicine. Over the last 20 years, Andrew has worked in both a clinical setting and within the elite sporting environment at the St Kilda Football Club, Melbourne Victory, Adelaide Thunderbirds, SACA Redbacks, V8 Supercars, triathlon and athletics.
Andrew works closely with several of Melbourne’s leading surgeons and Sports Physicians and over the years has developed a special interest in hip and groin pathology. This has led to the development of an evidence-based assessment and treatment model. This may include conservative management of conditions such as femoroacetabular impingement and hip dysplasia or post-operative rehabilitation following hip arthroscopy, peri-acetabular osteotomy, total hip replacement/resurfacing, femoral osteotomy etc.
Andrew also enjoys treating problems related to lower limb biomechanics, knee, ankle and foot pathology.
In addition to clinical work, he works as clinical supervisor on the Master’s program at La Trobe University.
- Graduated from The University of South Australia in 1995.
- Completed a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy and Masters in Manipulative Physiotherapy in 1999 & 2000.
- Established The Hip & Groin Clinic in 2010.
- B. App. Sc (Physiotherapy)
- Master of Physiotherapy (Sports & Manipulative)
- APA Sports & Manipulative Physiotherapist
Alesha Coonan
Alesha is a titled Sports Physiotherapist who works privately at Melbourne Orthopaedic Group Sports Medicine. Alesha has been involved in elite sport for the past ten years, working as a physiotherapist for the Matildas, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria. During this time, she has developed a special interest in the management of hip and groin pain, including the conservative and postoperative treatment of hip dysplasia and hip impingement.
In addition to the treatment of hip & groin pain, Alesha also manages:
– complex tendon conditions around the hip, knee and foot such as gluteal tendinopathy, patella tendinopathy and achilles tendinopathy.
– ACL rehabilitation (non-surgical and post surgical)
– Rehabilitation following joint replacement in the hip & knee.
Alesha has spent time learning from leading international researchers in her field, including specialist medical teams in Ireland and the USA and frequently attends international conferences. She’s a mum to two young boys and enjoys weekends away with the family.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy 2008
Masters of Sports Physiotherapy 2015
Titled APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist
Michael O’Brien
Michael is currently undertaking his PhD in Hip Dysplasia and also consulting from Melbourne Orthopaedic Group Sports Medicine. Over the past 10+ years his experience has included working in elite sport, hip and groin research, and a clinical caseload. Prior to commencing research, he was working with Melbourne Victory Football Club. He has published data on Groin strength testing and its relationship with injuries, in both A-League and AFL athletes.
In addition to treating complex hip and groin problems, Michael regularly manages patients with knee injuries needing to return to high-level sport. He has particular experience working with adolescent athletes, developing college sports programmes, and academy screenings. Other sports experience includes all codes of football, basketball and netball.
Michael works closely with Melbourne’s leading orthopaedic surgeons and physicians to provide conservative management and/or post-surgical rehabilitation for various conditions.
Michael hails from New Zealand where he graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2008, receiving the Elizabeth Michael award for Clinical Excellence. He has spent his career working in a variety of settings across New Zealand, Scotland, England and New South Wales before relocating to Melbourne.
- Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
- APA Physiotherapist
Charlotte Ganderton
Charlotte has a PhD in hip tendinopathy and privately consults at Melbourne Orthopaedic Group Sports Medicine. She has a passion for sport and performing arts, and has experience working in football, musical theatre and for Cirque du Soleil. Charlotte has a special interest in treating peripheral joint injuries (hip, shoulder, knee and foot), particularly those that that cause excessive joint movement/instability.
Charlotte is also a lecturer and researcher at Swinburne University of Technology. She has received numerous awards for her research, published journal articles, and presented at national and international conferences. Her research involvement is extensive and includes topics of hip (femoroacetabular) impingement, greater trochanteric pain syndrome (gluteal tendinopathy and bursitis), shoulder instability, chronic ankle instability, anterior cruciate ligament rupture and concussion.
Charlotte works alongside leading orthopaedic surgeons and sports physicians to provide evidence-based conservative and post-operative management for a variety of conditions.
- PhD (Physiotherapy)
- Master of Physiotherapy Practice
- Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)
