Community Musculoskeletal Service

The Community Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Service helps people affected by injury, provides rehabilitation after surgery (post-operatively) and provides support for patients with persistent musculoskeletal disability or pain.  Using exercise, manual therapy, education and advice, we aim to help patients regain function and manage pain in order to promote independence, health  and wellbeing.

Musculoskeletal problems  affect bones, joints and soft tissues including:

• Spine – from the neck through to lower back
• Hips, knees, feet and ankles
• Shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands.
• We also treat male and female pelvic floor dysfunction associated with muscular weakness.

Patients may self-refer directly to this service if they have a new condition.  In order to keep you safe, please ask your GP for a referral if you have:

• A current or previous diagnosis of cancer
• Unexplained weight loss
• Recent significant trauma
• New problems with bladder/bowel control or severe progressive weakness/numbness.
• Or if you feel medically unwell

Patients are screened using Phio Access, a digital tool which is available to use 24 hrs/day 7 days a week.  For some patients, who are appropriate, we are able to offer the option of digital physiotherapy via Phio Engage which provides an exercise solution and includes the option to message a physiotherapist through the app.

Community Orthopaedic Service (COS)

The Community Orthopedic Service (COS) is staffed with Advanced Clinical Practitioners and provides specialist assessment, investigation (if required) and management or onward referral of musculoskeletal conditions.  Conditions seen in this service are complex, serious or  persistent – having not resolved following GP and Physiotherapy management. The Advanced Clinical Practitioners that work in this service have received extensive training in areas such as blood and radiological investigations and treatments such as joint injections.

What to Expect

For each patient seen in the department, we carry out a face-to-face assessment that includes a consultation and examination which involves observation of body movement, touch and therapeutic handling.  Certain procedures may be uncomfortable as the clinician attempts to confirm the source of the symptoms. Please come appropriately dressed and let the therapist know if you prefer not to expose the affected body area.

You will have the opportunity when you book an appointment to request a clinician of the same gender if preferred.

The physiotherapist will ask about your problems, listen to your concerns and together agree goals so that treatment can be planned to meet your individual needs. In most cases you will receive advice about what you can do at home to help manage the condition.

Useful websites:

For more information about hydrotherapy click the following link: Hydrotherapy patient information.

For back pain advice see the link: https://youtu.be/24P7cTQjsVM

Information about acupuncture can be accessed via the following website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acupuncture/

Versus arthritis Decision support Tools

Decision support tools are a set of questions and answers to help people living with a health condition make informed choices about their treatments.

Musculoskeletal Decision Support Tools | Versus Arthritis

Contacts

How Can I Access Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Service?

Telephone : 0121 507 2664 (option 3, option 3)
Email: sandwell.physio@nhs.net

To self-refer please go to the link https://phio.eql.ai/provider/swbh-nhs

GP Electronic referrals – Choose and Book. Please contact for more details.

Address: Sandwell and West Birmingham Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Service, Sandwell Health Campus, Primary Care Buildings, Lewisham Street, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4HJ.