10/19/2026
The blind spot barrier.
Put three practitioners in front of the same hamstring presentation and you may get three different interpretations.
One considers neural involvement. Another explores the lumbar spine. Another examines whether a previous contralateral knee or ankle injury has changed how the athlete loads and coordinates movement.
Each interpretation needs to be examined against the history and findings.
Our training and experience shape the possibilities we notice. They also shape the ones we overlook.
Often, we have little understanding of how another practitioner sees the case because we’re too occupied with telling them what we think is correct.
Good clinical reasoning requires deliberate checks and balances.
Build alternative differentials into your assessment templates. For posterior ankle pain, what else are you considering beyond Achilles tendinopathy? What findings would support or challenge each possibility?
Seek mentorship from more than one person. Work with people who are strong where you’re less confident. Ask them to explain their reasoning.
A broader perspective gives you more possibilities to investigate, and a better chance of recognizing what the person in front of you is showing you.
