Musculoskeletal Outpatient Therapy Service (UCH)

Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of rheumatological issues. We run dedicated outpatient clinics, and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.

Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones include:

• Axial Spondyloarthropathy
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Hypermobility
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Dermatomyositis
• Sjogrens/Lupus

Some Useful Resources:

• Axial Spondyloarthritis advice and exercise guidance from the National Axial spondyloarthritis society (NASS)
• Osteoporosis Advice and Exercise Guidance from the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) 
• Our Osteoporosis advice and video
• Rheumatoid arthritis advice and exercise guidance (Arthritis Foundation)
• Hypermobility Educational Video

Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the spine. We run dedicated outpatient clinics, specialised exercise groups and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.

Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones include:

• Neck Pain
• Upper/Low Back Pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Post-Surgery (i.e. lumbar fusion, decompression)
• Nerve Pain/Injury (i.e. sciatica)

Some Useful Resources:

• Virtual pilates class
• Versus Arthritis – Back pain information page

Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the leg/lower limb. We run dedicated outpatient clinics, specialised exercise groups and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.

Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones include:

• Hip Pain
• Knee Pain
• Soft Tissue Injury (i.e. ankle sprain)
• Osteoarthritis
• Post-Fracture (i.e. neck of femur, tibial plateau)
• Joint Replacement (i.e. knee, hip)
• Reconstructive Surgery (i.e. ACL repair)
• Tendon Pain (i.e. Achilles)

Some Useful Resources:

• Early-Stage Lower Limb Rehabilitation Exercises (UCH MSK Service)
• Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Exercises (UCH MSK Service)
• Hip Osteoarthritis Information (Versus Arthritis)
• Knee Osteoarthritis Information (Versus Arthritis)

Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the arm/upper limb. We run dedicated outpatient clinics and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.

Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones are:

• Shoulder Pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Post-Fracture (i.e. humeral head, radial head)
• Joint Replacement (i.e. shoulder, elbow)
• Post-Surgery (i.e. rotator cuff repair)
• Tendon Pain (i.e. rotator cuff, tennis elbow)

Some Useful Resources:

• Shoulder/Elbow Osteoarthritis Information (Versus Arthritis)

Our qualified therapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the hand. We run dedicated outpatient clinics and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person. 

Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones are:

• Fractures (i.e. distal radius, metacarpals)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Dupuytrens Contracture
• Trigger Finger/Thumb
• Tendon Pain (i.e. DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis)

Useful Resources:

• Hand and Wrist Osteoarthritis Information (Versus Arthritis)
• Hand and Wrist Pain

Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues such as rehabilitation for women with bladder, bowel and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction; and musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy. We run dedicated outpatient clinics and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person. 

Typically we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones are:

• Urinary incontinence
• Overactive bladder
• Faecal incontinence or bowel evacuation disorders
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Perineal pain and/or dyspareunia
• Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction
• Antenatal musculoskeletal pain such as lower back pain or pelvic girdle pain
• Persistent pelvic pain syndromes

Useful Resources:

Antenatal advice and exercise guidance from the association of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy:

• “Fit for pregnancy – exercises and advice to stay fit and health during pregnancy”
• “Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain for mothers to be and new mothers”

 Link to our antenatal advice and exercise videos:

• UCLH Women’s Health Physiotherapy antenatal advice and exercise videos

Postnatal advice and exercise:

• UCLH Women’s Health Physiotherapy early postnatal advice and exercise page
• “Fit for the future – essential advice and exercises following childbirth” from the association of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy

We receive referrals through our online healthcare system (EPIC). These are then triaged by a senior member of staff. If accepted, an appointment is then booked by our administrative support teams on site or at the UCLH Contact Centre.

NB: We do not accept any referrals for adolescent or paediatric patients. A request should be sent via your GP to refer to your local services.

Currently, our patients are called initially to take a full history of their condition. We then offer either virtual (telephone or video calling) or in-person appointments. Following an initial assessment a rehabilitation planis agreed upon and then started.

Rehabilitation may include individual treatment, independent exercise, class-based exercise and or hydrotherapy.

All classes are run by qualified therapists from within our team. We offer a number of rehabilitation classes which are run both in person and online. They are suitable for a range of conditions and abilities.

• Lower Limb Class (Early) – online
• Back Class – online
• Pilates – in person
• Lower Limb Class (Intermediate and Advanced) – in person

We have a heated Hydrotherapy pool on site. Your physiotherapist is able to refer you for up to four sessions. Sessions are 30 minutes long and involve tailored exercise programmes for each patient.

The MSK therapy outpatient department is open as follows: 

• Monday-Thursday: 08:00-18:15
• Friday: 08:00-17:45
• Saturday-Sunday: closed