Overview
Background
Dr Melinda Smith (nee Franettovich) is a Lecturer in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She also works part-time as a Physiotherapist at Clem Jones Centre Physio & Rehab and delivers online and face to face professional development workshops for health professionals. Her research, teaching and clinical focus is lower limb musculoskeletal function and health, with a special interest in the foot and ankle. Melinda's aim is to enrich people's lives by facilitating physical activity and sport participation through improving the prevention, assessment and treatment of lower limb musculoskeletal pain and injury.
Her research publications extend across several areas including lower limb function, sports and running related injuries, taping, foot orthoses, footwear, measurement of foot posture and mobility, gait-retraining and musculoskeletal imaging. She has contributed to three book chapters including neuromuscular control of the foot and ankle, advances in magnetic resonance imaging, and sports medicine (foot). Melinda has presented her research at international and national conferences across several fields including Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Sports Medicine. The impact of her research in the clinical setting is evidenced by invitations from professional organisations, private practices and hospital departments to deliver professional development for their health professionals. Through her research she has collaborated with school, community and elite level sporting clubs and associations, physiotherapy private practices and footwear manufacturers. Melinda's mission is to conduct high quality, innovative research that engages with community and industry partners to deliver impactful outcomes.
Availability
- Dr Melinda Smith is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Melinda Smith’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Injury surveillance of an Australian community netball club
Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Mendis, M. Dilani, Parker, Alexander, Grantham, Brittany, Stewart, Simon and Hides, Julie (2020). Injury surveillance of an Australian community netball club. Physical Therapy in Sport, 44, 41-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.04.004
2020
Journal Article
A Case Study: Does the Sonography reflect the clinical Assessment?
Smith, Melinda M. Franettovich, Mendis, M. Dilani, Sexton, Margot J., Lavell, Sharni, Lemcke, Shane and Hides, Julie A. (2020). A Case Study: Does the Sonography reflect the clinical Assessment?. Manuelle Therapie, 24 (03), 127-137. doi: 10.1055/a-1178-3706
2020
Journal Article
Sonography - from the research to the physiotherapy practice
Hides, Julie A., Mendis, M. Dilani and Smith, Melinda M. Franettovich (2020). Sonography - from the research to the physiotherapy practice. Manuelle Therapie, 24 (03), 113-120. doi: 10.1055/a-1178-3786
2020
Journal Article
Foot exercise plus education versus wait and see for the treatment of plantar heel pain (FEET trial): A protocol for a feasibility study
Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Collins, Natalie J., Mellor, Rebecca, Grimaldi, Alison, Elliott, James, Hoggarth, Mark, Weber Ii, Kenneth A. and Vicenzino, Bill (2020). Foot exercise plus education versus wait and see for the treatment of plantar heel pain (FEET trial): A protocol for a feasibility study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 13 (1) 20, 20. doi: 10.1186/s13047-020-00384-1
2019
Conference Publication
Intrinsic foot muscle atrophy in individuals with chronic plantar heel pain: a cross-sectional investigation using ultrasound imaging
Franettovich Smith, M., Collins, N. and Vicenzino, B. (2019). Intrinsic foot muscle atrophy in individuals with chronic plantar heel pain: a cross-sectional investigation using ultrasound imaging. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia, 23 – 26 October 2019. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.163
2019
Conference Publication
Intrinsic foot muscle structure and function: Rethinking our approach to managing plantar heel pain
Franettovich Smith, M., Kelly, L., Collins, N. and Vicenzino, B. (2019). Intrinsic foot muscle structure and function: Rethinking our approach to managing plantar heel pain. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia, 23 – 26 October 2019. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.063
2019
Journal Article
Mechanisms of traumatic injury to the shoulder girdle in the Australian Football League
Schwab, Laura M., McGrath, Tim, Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Mendis, M. Dilani, McGhee, Deirdre and Hides, Julie (2019). Mechanisms of traumatic injury to the shoulder girdle in the Australian Football League. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22 (9), 987-991. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.05.019
2019
Journal Article
Injury reporting via SMS text messaging and online survey in community sport: a feasibility study
Schwab, Laura M., Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Mendis, M. Dilani, McGhee, Deirdre and Hides, Julie (2019). Injury reporting via SMS text messaging and online survey in community sport: a feasibility study. Translational Sports Medicine, 2 (6) tsm2.101, 351-357. doi: 10.1002/tsm2.101
2019
Journal Article
Factors affecting knee abduction during weight-bearing activities in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Cronström, A., Ageberg, E., Franettovich Smith, M.M., Blackmore, T., Nae, J. and Creaby, M.W. (2019). Factors affecting knee abduction during weight-bearing activities in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Physical Therapy in Sport, 38, 8-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.04.006
2019
Journal Article
Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction in adolescent rugby union players with and without a history of concussion
Leung, Felix T., Rahmann, Ann, Mendis, M. Dilani, Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Sonsearay, Christine, Low Choy, Nancy and Hides, Julie A. (2019). Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction in adolescent rugby union players with and without a history of concussion. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 39, 144-149. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.12.007
2019
Journal Article
Intrinsic foot muscle size can be measured reliably in weight bearing using ultrasound imaging
Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Hides, Julie A., Hodges, Paul W. and Collins, Natalie J. (2019). Intrinsic foot muscle size can be measured reliably in weight bearing using ultrasound imaging. Gait & Posture, 68, 369-374. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.12.012
2019
Book Chapter
The Foot and Ankle
Franettovich Smith, M.M., Vicenzino, B. and McPoil, T.G. (2019). The Foot and Ankle. Motorisk kontroll och inlärning Med inriktning på muskuloskeletal rehabilitering. (pp. 1-1) edited by Röijezon U. Lund, Sweden: Studentlitteratur.
2018
Conference Publication
Relationship between muscle volume and eccentric hamstring strength in elite Australian Rules football players
Smith, N., Franettovich-Smith, M. and Hides, J. (2018). Relationship between muscle volume and eccentric hamstring strength in elite Australian Rules football players. 2018 Sports Medicine Australia Conference, Perth WA Australia, 10th – 13th October 2018. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.080
2018
Conference Publication
Intrinsic foot muscle morphology, foot posture, pain and function in plantar heel pain: a preliminary investigation
Franettovich Smith, M., Vicenzino, B., Hides, J., Hodges, P. and Collins, N. (2018). Intrinsic foot muscle morphology, foot posture, pain and function in plantar heel pain: a preliminary investigation. 2018 Sports Medicine Australia Conference, Perth, WA, Australia, 10-13 October 2018. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier Australia. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.148
2018
Conference Publication
Risk factors for injury in female community netball players: A prospective cohort study
Mendis, D., Franettovich Smith, M., Stewart, S. and Hides, J. (2018). Risk factors for injury in female community netball players: A prospective cohort study. 2018 Sports Medicine Australia Conference, Perth WA Australia, 10th – 13th October 2018. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.142
2018
Conference Publication
Sensorimotor system changes in adolescent Rugby players post-concussion
Leung, F., Mendis, D., Franettovich Smith, M., Rahmann, A. and Hides, J. (2018). Sensorimotor system changes in adolescent Rugby players post-concussion. 2018 Sports Medicine Australia Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 10-13 October 2018. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier Australia. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.160
2018
Conference Publication
Injury surveillance in female community netball players
Hides, J., Mendis, D., Parker, A. and Smith, M. (2018). Injury surveillance in female community netball players. 2018 Sports Medicine Australia Conference, Perth WA Australia, 10th – 13th October 2018. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.107
2018
Conference Publication
A video analysis of mechanisms of shoulder injuries in elite Australian Rules football
Schwab, L., Franettovich-Smith, M., Mendis, D., McGhee, D. and Hides, J. (2018). A video analysis of mechanisms of shoulder injuries in elite Australian Rules football. 2018 Sports Medicine Australia Conference, Perth WA Australia, 10th – 13th October 2018. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.116
2017
Journal Article
Frontal plane kinematics predict three-dimensional hip adduction during running
Creaby, Mark W., Le Rossignol, Scott, Conway, Zachary J., Ageberg, Eva, Sweeney, Matthew and Franettovich Smith, Melinda M. (2017). Frontal plane kinematics predict three-dimensional hip adduction during running. Physical Therapy in Sport, 27, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2017.05.005
2017
Journal Article
Epidemiology of injuries in Australian school level rugby union
Leung, Felix T., Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Brown, Mark, Rahmann, Ann, Mendis, M. Dilani and Hides, Julie A. (2017). Epidemiology of injuries in Australian school level rugby union. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20 (8), 740-744. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.006
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Melinda Smith is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescents with patellofemoral pain: characteristics, preferences and footwear interventions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino, Dr Nathalia Costa, Associate Professor Natalie Collins
-
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescents with patellofemoral pain: characteristics, preferences and footwear interventions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino, Associate Professor Natalie Collins, Dr Nathalia Costa
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescents with patellofemoral pain: characteristics, preferences and footwear interventions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino, Dr Nathalia Costa, Associate Professor Natalie Collins
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Melinda Smith directly for media enquiries about:
- foot muscles
- foot pain
- heel pain
- plantar fasciitis
- shin pain
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