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Community Rehab Pathway (DRS)

Diagnostic Investigations

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction 

The Community Musculoskeletal Assessment and Physiotherapy Service (CMAPS) have arranged investigations, or tests, for you. This will help with your diagnosis and treatment planning. This may include X-rays, MRI scans, ultrasound scans, nerve conduction studies or blood tests. This leaflet explains how each test is arranged, and what you need to do in each case.

Your CMAPS clinician is ______________________

You can contact our service on 01384 321605.

X-rays

An X-ray is an effective way of looking at bones and can be used to help detect a range of conditions. Once your clinician has referred for an X-ray, you must arrange an appointment.
To make or re-arrange an appointment, call the X-ray appointment line: 01384 456111

When you have your X-ray appointment date booked, contact our service on 01384 321605 to arrange the follow-up appointment date to receive your results. This will be approximately 2-3 weeks after the X-ray.

MRI scans

An MRI scanner uses a strong magnetic field and radio frequency waves to produce detailed images of tissues, organs and other structures inside your body. MRI scans do not use radiation.

After your clinician has referred for an MRI scan, an appointment will be sent to you. Please take care to follow the instructions on your appointment letter. For MRI appointment enquiries, call the MRI appointment line: 01384 456111 – Extension 2106

When you have your MRI appointment date booked contact our service on 01384 321605 to arrange the follow-up appointment date to receive your results. This will be approximately 4-6 weeks after the MRI.

Ultrasound Scans

An ultrasound scan is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body. A small device called an ultrasound probe is used, which gives off high-frequency sound waves.

You can’t hear these sound waves, but when they bounce off different parts of the body, they create “echoes” that are picked up by the probe and turned into a moving image.

This image is displayed on a monitor while the scan is carried out.

After your clinician has referred for an ultrasound scan, an appointment will be sent to you. For ultrasound appointment enquiries, call the ultrasound scan appointment line: 01384 456111 – Extension 2030

When you have your ultrasound scan appointment date booked, contact our service on 01384 321605 to arrange the follow-up appointment to receive your results. This will be approximately 4-6 weeks after the scan.

Nerve Conduction Studies

Nerve conduction studies measure the electrical function of nerves in your arms and legs. This involves using small electrical currents to stimulate your nerves. This is done by attaching pads to your skin and connecting them to the EMG computer. Your nerve responses are recorded and analysed to give us information on how your nerves are working.
After your clinician has referred for a nerve conduction study, an appointment will be sent to you. For nerve conduction study appointment enquiries, call the neurophysiology service: 020 3868 6249

When you have your nerve conduction study appointment date booked contact our service on 01384 321605 to arrange the follow-up appointment date to receive your results. This will be approximately 2-3 weeks after the Investigation.

Blood Tests

Your clinician can give you a list of blood testing sites around Dudley. They will give you a blood test form, which you should take with you to the blood test appointment. When you have your blood test appointment date booked contact our service on 01384 321605 to arrange the follow-up appointment date to receive your results. This will be approximately 2-3 weeks after the blood test.

Results

You will be notified of all results, either by phone or in person. When you receive the appointment for your investigation, please remember to phone the CMAPS office on 01384 321605 to book your follow-up appointment to receive your results. A delay in arranging your CMAPS follow up appointment will result in a delay in you receiving your investigation results.

If you do not receive a call from CMAPS to arrange an appointment for your results, please phone the CMAPS office on 01384 321605.

More information

For more information about the tests and what is involved, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please contact the department or healthcare professional who gave you this leaflet.

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet. If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Dan Hart. Date reviewed: August 2025. Next review due: April 2028. Version: 4. DGH ref.: DGH/PIL/02201.