Spinal MSK Clinic
Telephone: 0121 685 4291 / 0121 685 4296
Email:
The spinal musculoskeletal clinic treats a wide range of musculoskeletal problems. In particular, this clinic is useful for patients:
- With uncertain diagnoses and prognosis
- Patients not responding to conservative treatment
- Patients who require the latest, expert, holistic treatment and interventions
- Patients who require advice and guidance following primary care imaging.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
The types of conditions that we see include:
- Low back pain
- Spinal pain with or without leg pain (sciatica)
- Lumbar spine stenosis
- Neck pain with or without arm pain
- Thoracic/mid back pain
- Osteoporotic fractures
- SIJ (sacroiliac joint) pain
- Any other symptoms that may be of spinal cause
About the clinic
Who will I see?
The spinal musculoskeletal clinic is led by advanced physiotherapy practitioners (APPs) who are highly-skilled physiotherapists and are specialised in the assessment and treatment of spinal musculoskeletal conditions. Often patients or referrers express concern about seeing a physiotherapist as often our patients have already had physiotherapy treatment without success. However, this clinic appointment is not about physiotherapy, although if after assessment it seems that physiotherapy is the best treatment, the APP can refer to the nearest department.
What can I expect from my appointment?
The APP will ask a number of questions and will perform a clinical assessment. If you require undressing we have hospital gowns to change into. Following the assessment the APP will give you a diagnosis and explanation about your condition and will discuss the various treatment options - if investigations are required, the APP will arrange this. If you have had previous investigations such as X-rays or MRI scans and your GP has made us aware of this, we will always endeavor to obtain both the report and the images prior to your appointment to help with clinical decision making. Follow-up appointments will be arranged following investigations, however in some instances a telephone follow-up can be arranged if preferred. If we need to do an X-ray, we can usually arrange this on the day however waiting times for this can vary and some patients may choose to book an X-ray for a different day. Blood tests can also be done on the same day however MRI, CT and ultrasound scans will be booked at a later date.
What investigations can I be referred for?
APPs can refer for a range of investigations such as MRI scans, X-rays, nerve conductions studies, ultrasound scans and blood tests, and will arrange this as required depending on your symptoms and clinical assessment.
What treatments can I be referred for?
There are usually several treatment options available, and the APP will discuss this with you and explain in detail the risks and benefits of different treatment options. The non-surgical treatment options include referral for spinal injections such as medial branch block injections and nerve root block injections or vertebroplasty. Other treatments include physiotherapy, podiatry, orthotics, advice/education.
I have been told I need surgery; do I still need to be assessed in the spinal musculoskeletal clinic?
Yes. The APPs have worked with surgeons for many years and will be able to give you more detailed information about the role of surgery, what surgery might entail and which of your symptoms might improve following surgery. The APP will also be able to explain to you what sort of risks and benefits there are with surgery so you will be able to decide if you want to consider surgical treatment. We will do a ‘work up’ for surgery which means that the surgeon will get a detailed report about your condition, your clinical presentation, your general medical health and any relevant up-to-date investigations.
Can I be referred to other departments?
Yes, we have well-established referral pathways to our orthopaedic surgeons if a surgical opinion is indicated. We can also refer outside our Trust to rheumatologists, neurologists, pain clinics or vascular teams either directly or via your GP.