Dr Seth O Neill

I am a Physiotherapist by background and have been teaching and researching at the University of Leicester since 2006. I currently act as the research director for the school of healthcare and as the deputy head of school. 

My research spans sporting populations and NHS groups and predominately focusses on tendon disease - tendinopathy or ruptures. My current work is developing understanding around the epidemiology of these conditions, their risk factors and optimisation of management via the development of complex interventions. I am well known nationally and internationally and regularly attend conferences in my field. 

I am currently supervising Undergraduate and post graduate research whilst supporting clinical colleagues to develop research careers. I am always open to supporting self-funded PhD applications if they are in my field. 

For an updated list of articles please check Seth's google scholar profile here

Kenyon, M., Driver, P., Mallows, A., Stephens, G., Bryant, M., Al Dawoud, M. and O'Neill, S., 2024. Characteristics of patients seeking national health service (NHS) care for Achilles tendinopathy: A service evaluation of 573 patients. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 74, p.103156.

de Vos, R.J., Silbernagel, K.G., Malliaras, P., Visser, T.S., Alfredson, H., van den Akker-Scheek, I., van Ark, M., Brorsson, A., Chimenti, R., Docking, S. and Eliasson, P., O'Neill S, et al  2024. ICON 2023: International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus–the core outcome set for Achilles tendinopathy (COS-AT) using a systematic review and a Delphi study of professional participants and patients. British journal of sports medicine.

Briggs-Price, S., Mangwani, J., Houchen-Wolloff, L., Modha, G., Fitzpatrick, E., Faizi, M., Shepherd, J. and O’Neill, S., 2024. Incidence, demographics, characteristics and management of acute Achilles tendon rupture: An epidemiological study. PLOS ONE, 19(6), p.e0304197.

Hébert-Losier, K., Fernandez, M.R., Athens, J., Kubo, M. and O’Neill, S., 2024. A randomised crossover trial on the effects of foot starting position on calf raise test outcomes: Position does matter. The Foot, p.102112.

Surman, C., O’Neill, S. and Channell, N., 2024. How Does Long-Term Static Stretching Affect The Structure And Function Of The Achilles Tendon and Triceps Surae? A Systematic Review. Physiotherapy, 123, pp.e253-e254.

Newton, C., Singh, G., Nolan, D., Booth, V., Diver, C., O’Neill, S., Purtill, H., Logan, P., O’Sullivan, K. and O’Sullivan, P., 2024. Cognitive Functional Therapy compared with usual physiotherapy care in people with persistent low back pain: a mixed methods feasibility randomised controlled trial in the United Kingdom National Health Service. Physiotherapy, 123, pp.118-132.

Sleeswijk Visser, T.S., O'Neill, S., Colaris, J.W., Eygendaal, D. and de Vos, R.J., 2024. Normative ultrasound values for Achilles tendon thickness in the general population and patients with Achilles tendinopathy: A large international cross‐sectional study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 34(5), p.e14665.

Sleeswijk Visser, T.S., Brul, S.L., O'Neill, S., van Es, E.M., Eygendaal, D. and de Vos, R.J., 2024. Measuring ultrasonographic thickness of the Achilles tendon insertion is less reliable than the midportion in healthy tendons and patients with tendinopathy. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 43(4), pp.713-722.

Tunnicliffe, H., Divall, P., O’Neill, S., Singh, H. and Wright, D., 2024. How long is the arm immobilised after a conservatively managed displaced proximal humerus fracture and does early mobilisation effect complication rates: A systematic review. Shoulder & Elbow, p.17585732241239011.

Amirthanayagam, A., O'Neill, S., Goss, C. and Moss, E.L., 2024. Physical and psychological impact of surgery on the operating surgeon. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, 34(3).

Norris, R., Morrison, S., Price, A., Pulford, S., Meira, E., O'Neill, S., Williams, H., Maddox, T.W., Carter, P. and Oldershaw, R.A., 2024. Inline dynamometry provides reliable measurements of quadriceps strength in healthy and ACL-reconstructed individuals and is a valid substitute for isometric electromechanical dynamometry following ACL reconstruction. The Knee, 46, pp.136-147.

Stubbs, C., McAuliffe, S., Chimenti, R.L., Coombes, B.K., Haines, T., Heales, L., de Vos, R.J., Lehman, G., Mallows, A., Michener, L.A. and Millar, N.L., 2024. Which psychological and psychosocial constructs are important to measure in future tendinopathy clinical trials? A modified international Delphi study with expert clinician/researchers and people with tendinopathy. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 54(1), pp.14-25.

Hébert-Losier, K., Balsalobre-Fernandez, C. and O'Neill, S., 2023. Calf muscle abilities are related to sprint performance in male Rugby Union players. Physical Therapy in Sport, 64, pp.117-122.

Norris, R., Cook, J.L., Gaida, J.E., Maddox, T., Raju, J. and O'Neill, S., 2023. The VISA-A (sedentary) should be used for sedentary patients with Achilles tendinopathy: a modified version of the VISA-A developed and evaluated in accordance with the COSMIN checklist. British journal of sports medicine, 57(20), pp.1311-1316.

Gravare Silbernagel, K., Malliaras, P., de Vos, R.J., Hanlon, S., Molenaar, M., Alfredson, H., van den Akker-Scheek, I., Antflick, J., van Ark, M., Farnqvist, K. O'Neill,. S. and Haleem, Z., 2021. ICON 2020-International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: A Systematic Review of Outcome Measures Reported in Clinical Trials of Achilles Tendinopathy. Sports Medicine, pp.1-29.

2. Mallows, A., Head, J., Goom, T., Malliaras, P., O'Neill, S. and Smith, B., 2021. Patient perspectives on participation in exercise-based rehabilitation for Achilles tendinopathy: a qualitative study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, p.102450.

3. Stephens, G., O'Neill, S., Mottershead, C., Hawthorn, C., Yeowell, G. and Littlewood, C., 2020. 'It's just like a needle going into my hip, basically all of the time'. The experiences and perceptions of patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain syndrome in the UK National Health Service. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, p.102175.

4. O'Neill S, Watson P, Barry S. Plantarflexor strength and endurance deficits associated with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: The role of Soleus. Physical Therapy in Sport, 2019, 37(May).69-76 doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.03.002 

5. Rabello L, Dams O, Akker-Scheek I,  Zwerver J, O'Neill S, Substantiating the use of ultrasound tissue characterization in the analysis of tendon structure: a systematic review, Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019. In Press.

6. Stephens, G., O'Neill, S., Clifford, C., Cuff,A., Forte, F., Hawthorn, C., Littlwood,C. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome in the UK National Health Service: A multicentre service evaluation. Musculoskeletal care, 2019, 17, 390-298.

7. Stephens, G., O'Neill, S., French, H.P., Fearon, A., Grimaldi, A., O'Connor, L., Woodley, S. and Littlewood, C.,. A survey of physiotherapy practice (2018) in the United Kingdom for patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2019 Jan12;40:10-20. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.01.004. [Epub ahead of print]

8. O'Neill, S. Jayna, R. Bird, K. Bandholm, T. Rathleff, M. Thorberg, K. Acute sensory and motor response to 45-seconds heavy isometric holds for the plantar flexors in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. International scientific tendon symposium; Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2018 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s00167-018-5050-z 

9. O'Neill S, Watson P, Barry S. A delphi study of risk factors for Achilles tendinopathy- opinions of world tendon experts. International journal of sports physical therapy 2016;11(5):684-697. 

10. O'Neill S, Watson P, Barry S. Why are eccentric exercises effective for Achilles tendinopathy? International journal of sports physical therapy 2015;10(4):552-562

I am currently supervising or co-supervising projects examining Tendon injuries in elite sports with a primary focus on the Achilles tendon and Calf injuries and calf muscle function. We have upcoming work examining Achilles tendon ruptures.

I have a strong interest and work in Cognitive functional therapy alongside management of LBP and other MSK complaints.

The work is often mixed methods and examines peoples experiences of these conditions the epidemiology risk factors and rehabilitation for these conditions.

If you are interested in Musculoskeletal injuries then please consider getting in touch if your interested in tendon complaints or muscle injuries then definitely get in touch. 

 FIFA football medicine conference Camp Nou

• English Institute of Sport (tendon day) (EIS)

• Football Association (FA) (tendon study day)

• European society of Sports Traumatology and knee arthroscopic surgery (ESSKA) pan European conference

• British Equine Vets Association (BEVA) national conference NEC Birmingham

• FC Barcelona Sports Medicine Conference

• Royal Society of Medicine (ISEH): Sports and Orthopaedics conference

• Football Association Medical Society Soleus injuries

• England RFU medicine conference

• Ireland RFU-Muscle injury study day

• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) conference

• FC Barcelona Sports Medicine Conference International conference

• Big Rs - MSK reform conference • Football AssociationCalf and Achilles night

• Fortius International sports injury conference (FISIC)

• SportsKongress • Equine conference Horses inside out

• THERAPY LIVE 2020

• Ireland RFU-Muscle and tendon injury study day

• Barca Innovation Hub/FC Barcelona’s “Sports tomorrow”

• Australian Rugby Federation

• Calf injuries in sports Royal Society of Medicine

• International Federation of Sports Physical therapy 

https://le.ac.uk/news/2022/january/barcelona-tendon-injuries

In addition I have completed online educational talks in the form of webinars and podcasts for international leaders in the field:

British Journal of Sports Medicine PhysioEdge Clinical Edge Physiopedia and PhysioMatters and various other lesser known ones. Examples:

1. BJSM https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2019/04/12/talking-tendinopathy-solving-the-soleus-conundrum-with-dr-seth-oneill/

2. https://www.clinicaledge.co/podcast/physio-edge-podcast/physio-edge-042-treatment-of-plantaris-achilles-tendinopathy-with-seth-oneill

3. https://www.clinicaledge.co/podcast/physio-edge-podcast/082LIVE

4. https://chewshealth.co.uk/tpmpsession6/

5. https://chewshealth.co.uk/tpmpsession11/

6. https://podtail.com/en/podcast/physiopedia-podcast/seth-o-neill-strength-training-for-tendinopathy/

7. https://anchor.fm/podchatlive/episodes/PodChatLive-Episode-30-with-Seth-ONeill-Achilles-Tendinopathy-e1sj5m 

• PhD “A biomechanical approach to Achilles tendinopathy management” University of Leicester April 2017. Completed Part-Time.

• MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Merit) Sheffield Hallam University 2009.

• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy (2.1) Leeds Metropolitan University 2000.

• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) no.64359

• Member of the musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MMACP)

• Member of the associations of Chartered Physiotherapists interested in Sports and Exercise medicine (ACPSEM).

• HCPC Health care professions council member- PH58224

• SHEA Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy