Professor Patrick Wheeler

MBChB, PhD, MSc(SEM), MSc(PA&PH), FFSEM(UK), MRCGP

  • Honorary Clinical Professor of Sport and Exercise Medicine

Professor Wheeler holds an Honorary Clinical Professorship in Sport & Exercise Medicine. He has been employed in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS) at Loughborough University since 2013, and is currently engaged across a wide number of roles supporting research, teaching, and enterprise. He is the Programme Director for the Intercalated Medical Students at Loughborough University, the Module Lead for an MSc module, and he supervises a number of current PhD students.

Professor Wheeler graduated from Leicester University Medical School in 1998. He holds an MSc in Sport & Exercise Medicine from Nottingham University (2004), and an MSc in Physical Activity and Public Health from Staffordshire University (2012). He completed his PhD at Loughborough University in 2019 investigating medical management options for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, and comparing treatments with those used in other chronic tendinopathies. 

In addition to his work at Loughborough University, Professor Wheeler works for the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, where he has been employed as a Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine since 2009, having joined the department originally in 2000. He served as the Head of Service in the Sports Medicine Department at Leicester Hospitals from 2013-2017 before stepping down from this management role to create more time for his teaching and research activities.

Professor Wheeler is a Fellow of the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine (FSEM), and was one of the first doctors entered onto the GMC Specialist Register in Sport & Exercise Medicine in 2009. He was elected to the FSEM Council in 2016, was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2020, and appointed to the position of FSEM Honorary Treasurer from late-2020. In addition in November 2020 he was elected to the position of the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAG) for the British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine (BASEM), and in this role his group review applications for research funding made to BASEM.

** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROFILE AND THE ATTACHED UNIVERSITY EMAIL ADDRESS RELATE SOLELY TO PROFESSOR WHEELER’S EMPLOYED ROLE AT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY. DUE TO INFORMATION GOVERNANCE REQUIREMENTS, HE CANNOT RESPOND TO EMAIL CONTACTS BY PATIENTS AT THIS PLACE OF WORK AND EMAILS WILL BE DELETED. ANY CONTACTS RELATING TO HIS NHS CLINICS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SPORTS MEDICINE DEPARTMENT AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF LEICESTER NHS TRUST. THE CLINIC CAN BE REACHED ON 0116 2584365 **

Professor Wheeler is the Principal Investigator on several ongoing NHS interventional research trials examining the effectiveness of treatments for patients with chronic tendinopathies, and has previously led research looking at physical activity intervention strategies. Professor Wheeler has recruited more than 1100 patients to his NHS research studies to date, and continues to remain very research active. 

Professor Wheeler is very happy to be contacted by prospective PhD students, particularly those from clinical backgrounds, who are interested in undertaking their Doctoral Studies at Loughborough University.

  • Professor Wheeler is the current Chair of the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAG) for the British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine (BASEM), and in this role his group review applications for research funding made to BASEM. He is also the Chair of the Awards Committee, overseeing various awards made throughout the year by BASEM.
  • Professor Wheeler holds an Honorary post at Leicester University, where he is involved in the teaching and assessment of medical students.
  • Professor Wheeler has been appointed as the Honorary Treasurer of the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine (FSEM) from late-2020. He was original elected to the Faculty Council in 2016, and subsequent to this was appointed to the FSEM Executive Committee in 2020. During his time his roles include linking SEM within the wider NHS including activity reporting, and in addition he now oversees the FSEM “New Consultant Programme” which aims to facilitate the transition and professional development of newly appointed Consultants in Sport & Exercise Medicine across the UK.
  • Professor Wheeler has worked in a variety of roles supporting and teaching on the Sport & Exercise Medicine MSc programme at the University of Bath since 2007, and continues to teach / examine / supervise research in this programme.
  • Professor Wheeler has also previously worked extensively with elite sports and national governing bodies over multiple Olympic and Paralympic Cycles going back to 2004. Professor Wheeler worked for the English Institute of Sport from 2007-2013 and has worked for ParalympicsGB at the Beijing2008, London2012 and Rio2016 Paralympic Games.

Featured publications

  • Wheeler P, Dudson C, Calver R, et al. Three sessions of radial-Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (rESWT) gives no additional benefit over “minimal-dose” rESWT for patients with chronic greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), a double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 2021; Volume Publish Ahead of Print (20th Jan 2021). DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000880.
  • Aspinall SK, Bamber ZA, Hignett S, et al. Medical stretching devices are effective in the treatment of knee arthrofibrosis: A Systematic Review. Journal of Orthopaedic Translation 2021; 27: 119-131. DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2020.11.005.
  • Wheeler PC and Tattersall C. Novel interventions for recalcitrant Achilles tendinopathy: benefits seen following High-Volume Image-Guided Injection (HVIGI) or Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) – a prospective cohort study. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 2020; 30: 14-19. DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000580.
  • Turner M, Martin N, Player D, et al. Characterising hyperinsulinaemia induced insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle cells. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 2020; 64: 125-132. DOI: 10.1530/JME-19-0169.
  • Fleming JW, Capel AJ, Rimington RP, et al. Bioengineered human skeletal muscle capable of functional regeneration. BMC Biology 2020. DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00884-3.
  • Coull NA, West AM, Hodder SG, et al. Body Mapping of Regional Sweat Distribution in Young and Older Males. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2020; Published online 29th September 2020. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04503-5.
  • Bamber Z, Wheeler P, He X, et al. Screening for laterally deviated plantar pressure during stance using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and anthropometric measures. Research in Sports Medicine 2020. DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2020.1857250.
  • Aspinall SK, Wheeler PC, Godsiff SP, et al. The STAK Tool: evaluation of a new device to treat arthrofibrosis and poor range of movement following total knee replacement and major knee surgery. Bone & Joint Open 2020; 1. DOI: 10.1302/2633-1462.18.BJO-2020-0096.
  • Alhasan H, Alshehri MA, Wheeler P, et al. Effect of interactive videogames on balance and falls outcomes in frail elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Games for Health 2020; in press - accepted for publication 25th Oct 2020.
  • Wheeler PC. Up to a quarter of patients with certain chronic recalcitrant tendinopathies may have Central Sensitisation – a prospective cohort of more than 300 patients. British Journal of Pain 2019; 13: 137-144. DOI: 10.1177/2049463718800352.
  • Wheeler PC. Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) plus rehabilitation for insertional and non-insertional Achilles Tendinopathy shows good results across a range of domains of function. The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery 2019; 58: 617-622. DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2018.11.005.
  • Barker-Davies RM, Roberts A, Watson J, et al. Kinematic and kinetic differences between military patients with patellar tendinopathy and asymptomatic controls during single leg squats. Clinical Biomechanics 2019; 62: 127-135. DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2019.02.001.
  • Wheeler PC and Tattersall C. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Plus Rehabilitation for Patients With Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Might Reduce Pain and Improve Function but Still Not Lead to Increased Activity: A Case-Series Study With Multiple Outcome Measures. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery 2018; 57: 339-345. DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.07.001.
  • Wheeler PC. The provision of simple written material does not significantly improve physical activity rates in a population with musculoskeletal problems, a double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2018; 59: 1244-1252. DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.18.09005-9.
  • Watson J, Barker-Davies RM, Bennett AN, et al. Sport and Exercise Medicine consultants are reliable in assessing tendon neovascularity using ultrasound Doppler. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2018; 4. DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000298.
  • Pullen E, Malcolm D and Wheeler P. How effective is the integration of Sport and Exercise Medicine in the English National Health Service for sport related injury treatment and health management? Journal of Sport Med & Physical Fitness 2018; 59: 481-488. DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.18.08389-5.
  • Barker-Davies R, Roberts A, Bennett AN, et al. Single leg squat ratings by clinicians are reliable and predict excessive hip internal rotation moment. Gait and Posture 2018; 61: 453-458. DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.02.016.
  • Wheeler PC, Mitchell R, Ghaly M, et al. Primary Care knowledge, and beliefs, about physical activity and health. British Journal of General Practice Open 2017. DOI: 10.3399/bjgpopen17X100809.
  • Wheeler PC. The addition of a Tension Night Splint to a structured home rehabilitation programme in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis does not lead to significant additional benefits in either pain, function, or flexibility – a single-blinded randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2017; 3: e000234. DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000234.
  • Wheeler PC. Neuropathic pain may be common in chronic lower limb tendinopathy; a prospective cohort study. British Journal of Pain 2017; 11: 16-22. DOI: 10.1177/2049463716680560.
  • Barker-Davies RM, Nicol A, McCurdie I, et al. A Double Blind Randomised Control Trial of High Volume Image Guided Injections in Achilles and patellar tendinopathy in a young active population. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2017; 18. DOI: 10.1186%2Fs12891-017-1564-7.
  • Wheeler PC and Tattersall C. The role of Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) plus rehabilitation for patients with chronic Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), a case series assessing effects on pain, sleep quality, activity and functioning. International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2016; 38: 27-35. DOI: 10.1080/17536146.2016.1195623.
  • Wheeler P, Mahadevan D, Bhatt R, et al. A comparison of two different High-Volume Image-Guided Injection procedures for patients with chronic non-insertional Achilles Tendinopathy. Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery 2016; 55: 976-979. DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2016.04.017.
  • Morton S, Thompson D, Wheeler P, et al. What do patients really know? An evaluation of patients’ physical activity guideline knowledge within general practice. London Journal of Primary Care 2016; 8: 48-55. DOI: 10.1080/17571472.2016.1173939.
  • Haseler C, Cambray C and Wheeler P. Osteoarthritis and corticosteroid injections: the four groups. International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2016; 38: 3-9. DOI: 10.1080/17536146.2015.1110964.
  • Evangelidis PE, Massey GJ, Ferguson RA, et al. The functional significance of hamstrings composition: Is it really a ‘fast’ muscle group? Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports 2016; 27: 1181-1189. DOI: 10.1111/sms.12786.
  • Wheeler PC. The role of Autologous Blood Injections in the treatment for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis – a case series and longer term follow-up. International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2015; 37: 47-53. DOI: 10.1179/1753615415Y.0000000004.
  • Wheeler PC. The use of High-Volume Image-Guided Injections (HVIGI) for Achilles tendinopathy - a case series & pilot study. International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2014; 36: 96-103. DOI: 10.1179/1753615414Y.0000000035.
  • Wheeler PC. The effectiveness and tolerability of Tension Night Splints for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis - a case-series study. International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2014; 36: 130-136. DOI: 10.1179/1753615414Y.0000000032.
  • Wheeler P, Boyd K and Shipton M. Surgery for Patients With Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: Good Results at Short-, Medium-, and Long-term Follow-up. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2014; 2. DOI: 10.1177/2325967114527901.
  • Kassam H, Tzortziou Brown V, O'Halloran P, et al. General Practitioners’ attitude to Sport and Exercise Medicine services: a questionnaire-based survey. Postgraduate Medical Journal 2014; 90: 680-684. DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2013-132245.
  • Carter JM, Randell RK, Passe DH, et al. A Comparison of Techniques to Measure Body Composition in Athletes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2014; 46: 571. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000495185.18683.a9.
  • Williamson T, Wheeler P, Stephens C, et al. Emergency care provision at the 2009 Special Olympics Great Britain. Emergency Medicine Journal 2013; 30: 411-413. DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2011-200750.
  • Wheeler P. Autologous blood injections for chronic plantar fasciitis – a pilot case-series study shows promising results. International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2013; 35: 3-7. Dec 2012. DOI: 10.1179/1753615413Y.0000000015.
  • Wheeler PC, Williamson T, Stephens C, et al. A report of the medical team activity at the 2009 Special Olympics GB. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2012; 46: 143-149. DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2010.075879.
  • Brown JS, Wheeler PC, Boyd KT, et al. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm: a case series of 12 patients treated with fasciotomy. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) 2011; 36: 413-419. DOI: 10.1177/1753193410397900.
  • Wheeler P. What do patients think about diagnostic ultrasound? A pilot study to investigate patient-perceived benefits with the use of musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound in an outpatient clinic setting. International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2010; 32: 68-71. DOI: 10.1179/175361410X12652805807954.
  • Wheeler P. Leicester City Musculoskeletal Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic (A report on the first 2½ years of activity). International Musculoskeletal Medicine 2009; 31: 91-92.
  • Wheeler P and Batt ME. Do non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs adversely affect stress fracture healing? A short review. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2005; 39: 65-69. DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2004.012492.