If you have an MSK Rehabilitation appointment coming up, you may be wondering what to expect and how to prepare. MSK stands for musculoskeletal. This includes problems affecting your muscles, joints, bones or nerves.

Your appointment will be with a healthcare professional who specialises in these types of conditions. Appointments may take place:

• By telephone
• By video call
• Face to face

In this short video, we’ll explain what to expect from your appointment, what may happen during it and some simple things you can do to prepare, so you can feel ready and get the most from your time with our team.

Watch the video to find out more.

Before your appointment

What is an MSK Rehabilitation appointment?

An MSK Rehabilitation appointment helps us understand your symptoms and how they are affecting your daily life.

Your first appointment usually lasts around 30 minutes. Follow-up appointments may be shorter.

During your appointment, we’ll:

• Discuss your symptoms
• Understand how they affect you
• Assess your condition
• Provide advice and, where possible, a diagnosis
• Agree a treatment and rehabilitation plan with you

How to get ready

Before your appointment, please:

• Think about any questions you’d like to ask
• Have a list of any medicines you take
• Be prepared to discuss your medical history
• Wear comfortable clothing, as you may be asked to uncover the area being assessed

During your appointment

What happens during your appointment?

Our MSK Rehabilitation team includes clinicians qualified in:

• Occupational Therapy
• Osteopathy
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry
• Sports Therapy

Your clinician may ask about:

• Your symptoms
• Any treatment you have already tried
• Your lifestyle and physical activity levels
• Your goals and what you’d like to return to doing
• Your medical history
• Any medicines you are taking

If appropriate, they may also carry out a physical assessment.

This helps us understand your condition and agree the best plan for your recovery.

After your appointment

What happens next?

Before your appointment ends, you’ll agree a plan with your clinician.

Depending on your needs, this may include:

• Self-management advice
• Exercises or rehabilitation support
• A follow-up appointment
• Referral to another service, if appropriate

We’ll make sure you understand the next steps and have the information you need to continue your recovery.

Changing or cancelling your appointment 

If you can no longer attend an appointment, then letting us know early often means it can be used by someone else who is waiting. If you don’t already have the contact details for the service your appointment is with, you can find them on your local service page.