Welcome to NHS Forth Valley’s Musculoskeletal (MSK) Outpatient Physiotherapy Services.
We provide our Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy services in outpatient departments and health centres across Forth Valley including Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Stirling Health & Care Village and in 18 health centres.
All of our physiotherapists are registered by the Health and Care professions council (HCPC).
What does a MSK Physiotherapist do?
A MSK physiotherapist provides expert assessment and treatment for muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, nerves and other structures in order to:
- Improve your movement and strength
- Help you to do more of your normal activities
- Help you to understand and manage your condition
- Provide long-term self-management options for your condition.
How can I access NHS Forth Valley MSK Physiotherapy Services?
There are several ways you can access NHS Forth Valley MSK physiotherapy services. These include:
- Being referred by a GP
- Being referred by a hospital consultant
- Being referred by other health professionals
Referrals and initial appointment
Once we have received your referral to physiotherapy it will be reviewed in accordance with clinical priority and the health information provided. Our team lead specialist physiotherapists will assess your referral and may contact you if they need more information. You will then be contacted by letter and invited to contact our booking office to arrange an initial appointment.
If you do not respond within two weeks of receiving this letter, we shall assume that you do not wish to take up the offer of arranging an appointment. You will therefore be removed from the waiting list and discharged from the physiotherapy service. We will also write to the health professional who referred you to advise them of this.
Physiotherapy appointments are usually face-to-face, however there is the option of making your appointment a video (Near Me) or phone consultation, please let us know when you contact our booking office.
Preparing for your appointment
- Bring a list of any medications you are taking
- Wear, or bring suitable clothing to change into (shorts, loose trousers, vest-top) so that the physiotherapist can examine individual joint range and muscle power appropriately
Who do I contact if I need to change my appointment?
Please phone our MSK hub as soon as possible if you need to re-arrange or cancel your appointment. You can contact the MSK hub on 01324 673890, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
What happens if I do not attend my appointment?
If you fail to attend your appointment without contacting the physiotherapy department you will be discharged from the service. If you fail to attend your return appointment and do not contact within a two week period or fail to attend two consecutive appointments, you will be discharged from the physiotherapy service and we will write to the health professional who referred you to advise them of this.
What to expect from your MSK Physiotherapist appointment?
Your physiotherapist will take a detailed account of your condition along with information related to your past medical history, medication, general health and social history, including hobbies and occupation.
A physical examination may be carried out which will vary depending on your specific condition. If there is a definitive diagnosis then this will be discussed along with a prognosis and details of how/ if physiotherapy can help.
The physiotherapist will want to gain an insight into how you feel so is very important to discuss your expectations and set realistic goals that the physiotherapy can help you achieve at this stage.
Possible treatments will be explained based on the best clinical evidence available. The potential benefits and risks of any treatment options will also be discussed.