This specialist service manages the care of patients with musculoskeletal and spinal conditions, and is for:
When patients are referred to MATS by their GP, the referral will be triaged to ensure the patient is seen by the most appropriate service.
A referral can be triaged into Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, the MATS specialist physiotherapy clinic, or via Orthopaedics, Rheumatology or the Pain Management Service.
Please bring copies of any x-rays or MRI scans conducted at your local hospital to your appointment.
Assessments
You will be seen by one of our advanced physiotherapy Practitioners (APPs).
When necessary they are able to request investigations such as MRI, X-rays and blood tests, and are also able to undertake joint and soft tissue injections if necessary.
In order to do a thorough assessment, the APP will ask you detailed questions about your issue, general health, medical history and current medications.
This will be followed by a a physical assessment.
During your appointment you might be required to carry out a number of movements to determine the cause of your pain.
It may be necessary for you to partially undress for the physical examination so you should wear appropriate clothing.
We recommend you wear loose fitting clothing and underwear that you are comfortable being assessed in.
You may be referred for investigations such as X-rays, blood tests or scans, and in some cases may require an X-ray before your assessment.
At your appointment, you may be offered and given treatment such as an injection or self-management advice.
We may refer you to another service for treatment, such as physiotherapy.
Sometimes we need to wait for test results before deciding on your treatment.
Once these are available, we will contact you by letter or phone, or we will see you in clinic again to let you know the test result, or to arrange any treatments you might need.
If it is necessary for you to have an operation this will be discussed with you.
They will discuss with you the choice of consultant and location that you would prefer.
Following your appointment, we will send a letter back to your GP.
Great Western Hospital
Marlborough Road
Swindon
SN3 6BB
