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The service provides physiotherapy care to patients across Dudley with help managing a musculoskeletal condition such as osteoarthritis, back pain, injuries sustained after an accident, work related conditions & sporting injuries as well as post-operative care
We encourage patients to take an active role in their recovery that can help return to work and your normal everyday activities.
The service’s aim is to ensure that anyone with a musculoskeletal complaint can access the right clinician at the earliest point in their journey and is then subsequently supported within the service in a timely manner. The service prides itself on embracing innovative practice to deliver high quality care within an environment that is accessible for individual patient needs.
Services available
Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioners
Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioners (APP’s) are highly specialised clinicians who work at a higher level of varied advanced practice.
They provide assessment, diagnosis and advice on complex musculoskeletal cases which may involve investigations and/or onward referral to other Specialties e.g. rheumatology or orthopaedics.
First Contact Physiotherapists
First Contact Physiotherapists (FCP) are based within the Musculoskeletal service and are based in local GP practices
Physiotherapy within musculoskeletal service
Physiotherapy within musculoskeletal (MSK) service provides a MSK assessment diagnosis and rehabilitation typically if the complaint has not resolved after six weeks. With regards to Orthotics – we can provide a range of equipment such as splints where necessary.
How to access the service
Access to physiotherapy services is via a referral from your GP practice or the hospital team.
Treatment options
Exercise Therapy
Including individualized home-based exercises to improve your muscle strength, increase your joint range of movement, and improve balance and general fitness
Open gym classes
We have a gym space to allow you to use more specialised equipment that you may not have at home to help progress your rehabilitation guided by our team of physiotherapists
Joint Health Clinic
Group exercise class to enable long term self-management of hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
Steroid Injection Therapy
Where appropriate we can consider steroid injection as part of your treatment
Manual therapy
Soft tissue and joint mobilisation may be required in addition to your exercise program if indicated
Orthopaedic assessment and group triage (OAGT)
Orthopaedic assessment and group triage (OAGT) is a group based rehabilitation approach aiming to covering information surrounding the condition, self management strategies allowing patients to feel empowered and take control of their own care.
Your appointment
Once we have received a referral from your GP/consultant, you will be contacted via letter It is your responsibility toorganise your first appointment. If you are unable to make your appointment, please contact the department as soon as possible so we can rearrange and offer it to someone else.
If you do not attend your initial or follow up appointments, you must contact the department within 28 days to reschedule or you will be discharged from this service.
If you have any specific requirements with regards to interpreter, gender preference or chaperone, please notify the team when booking your appointment
Your Assessment
Your first appointment will be used to identify your goals and expectations. Information gathered will include details of your current symptoms, medical history, medication, your lifestyle and how your symptoms are affecting you. This will include a physical examination of the affected area, looking at joints, muscles, nerves and strength.
From these findings we will discuss with you an appropriate treatment plan to support you in achieving your goals
You may be booked for a follow appointment to manage your progress as per your condition or referred to alternative service as needed. If appropriate you may be offered a patient initiated follow up (PIFIU) , where you have a 3-month window to rebook if you needed a review ( link from DGFT?? )
Students may be involved in your care but will always be under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist.
What to wear
Please bring with you appropriate clothing for the body part being treated i.e. shorts for lower limb, vest top for back and upper limb. If it is your neck, shoulder or back that is affected, you may be asked to remove your shirt. This will be done in a private space, and your dignity will always be protected.
Self-care guides
It is not uncommon for people to experience muscle and joint ache and pains which can interfere with work or day to day activities Self-care guides offer advice, and tips on how to self-manage and when to seek further advice from your healthcare professionals. See the links below which have been sourced not only from our trust but other hospitals;
University of Coventry and Warwickshire self-care guides
Shoulder pain is the third most common reason why people see their GP for a musculoskeletal problem, behind lower back pain and neck pain. Whilst the natural history of shoulder pain is largely favourable, it is not uncommon for some discomfort to persist beyond 12-months
The educational resources below will provide you with information on common reasons why people develop shoulder pain, what you can do to help yourself recover as well as providing some guidance on things you may wish to discuss with your Physiotherapist.
Elbow Pain can occur with or without an injury which may affect the joint or surrounding tissues. If the pain doesn’t improve within 6-12 weeks, you may need to seek further advice from a health professional
The resources below provide information on the many reasons people develop Elbow problems, and the steps you can take to assist your recovery. It may also help to discuss some of the information in this section with your Physiotherapist.
Most cases of hand and wrist pain will not be a sign of a serious or long-term problem and will settle in a few days or weeks with some simple self-care you can do at home. There are several conditions that can cause pain or other symptoms in the hands and wrists, including types of arthritis.
The resources below provide information on the many reasons people develop wrist and hand problems, and the steps you can take to assist your recovery. It may also help to discuss some of the information in this section with your therapist.
Hip pain is a very common problem which can be due to age-related changes, injuries or repetitive activities. The location of pain may vary from the thigh, hip joint, groin or buttock dependent on source of symptoms. It can also be referred from other arears of the body such as the back.
Exercises can help keep joints mobiles and strengthening muscles around your hip. If symptoms do not settle in 6-12 weeks, you may need to seek further advice.
The educational resources below will provide you with information on common reasons why people develop hip pain, what you can do to help yourself recover as well as providing some guidance on things you may wish to discuss with your Physiotherapist.
Knee pain can occur without an accident or injury. It may present with stiffness pain and /swelling This may affect functional activities like getting up from a chair or kneeling,
In most cases the knee problems respond well to exercises however if this does not settle within 6-12 weeks seek advice from a health professional
The educational resources below will provide you with information on common reasons why people develop knee pain, what you can do to help yourself recover as well as providing some guidance on things you may wish to discuss with your Physiotherapist.
Foot and Ankle Pain can occur with or without injury. Some of the reasons may include sprains, overuse injuries, biomechanics, and osteoarthritis. Simple over the counter pain relief, modification of your activities, and wearing good supportive footwear may relieve your pain. If your pain does not settle in 6 weeks, you may need to seek further advice from a health professional
The educational resources below will provide you with information on common reasons why people develop ankle pain, what you can do to help yourself recover as well as providing some guidance on things you may wish to discuss with your Physiotherapist.
Neck pain is very common and most of us will have it at some point in our lives. Usually, neck pain is the result of holding your neck in the same position for too long, but many people develop a stiff and painful neck for no obvious reason. There could be other causes such as a whiplash or spondylosis.
The educational resources below will provide you with information on common reasons why people develop neck pain, what you can do to help yourself recover as well as providing some guidance on things you may wish to discuss with your Physiotherapist.
More than 80% of the population suffer from simple low back pain at some point in their lives. Most low back pain will improve within the first 2 weeks and 85% will resolve by 3 months. Staying active and continuing your normal activities should help with recovery.
The educational resources below will provide you with information on common reasons why people develop lower back pain, what you can do to help yourself recover as well as providing some guidance on things you may wish to discuss with your Physiotherapist.
Pain is a vital function of the nervous system in providing the body with a warning the body of potential or actual injury. It is both a sensory and emotional experience, affected by psychological factors such as past experiences, beliefs about pain, fear or anxiety.
