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Musculoskeletal service

What is the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service?

The musculoskeletal service involves the assessment and treatment of 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.

There are a number of Allied Health Professionals involved in the MSK service including physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists and orthotists.

Watch the videos below to find out more about the MSK service.

Christine Wallace manages the Musculoskeletal Service (MSK) in NHS Ayrshire & Arran and explains what MSK is, the treatments the team provide and how to access the service.
Judith Reid, Consultant Physiotherapist in MSK, explains how NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s MSK pathways ensure that your care is joined up to ensure you can access more specialised care if and when required without the need for re referral back to your GP practice.
Yvonne Quinn manages the team of advanced physiotherapy practitioners (APP) who work in primary care and explains how they can assist you as a first point of contact for a musculoskeletal condition.

Information and self-management advice for MSK conditions

Non-urgent advice: Managing arthritis

Visit our Osteoarthritis: what can I do? section for help with arthritis and managing your symptoms

Knee problems

Hip problems

Foot / ankle problems

Back problems

Shoulder problems

Elbow problems

Arthritis

Fractures

Osteoporosis

Wrist / hand / thumb problems

Neck problems

Soft tissue injury

Support for people waiting on knee or hip replacement surgery

Rheumatology

Pain management

How can I access the MSK service?

There are several ways you can access the MSK service in NHS Ayrshire & Arran:

  • You can ask your local GP practice
  • You may be referred through another NHS service
  • Or use the information on this website  

What can I expect if I am referred to see an MSK health professional?

  • Prior to attending any booked appointment with the MSK service please remember to bring a note of all medicines that you are currently taking, reading glasses and loose clothing e.g. shorts, t-shirt or vest top as we may ask you to remove some clothes to make it easier for the physiotherapist to assess you.
  • If you have a pacemaker, please tell staff on your arrival as some of our equipment in the treatment area may interfere with it.
  • On the day of your booked appointment please arrive 10 minutes prior to your time slot to complete necessary paperwork to help the therapist understand your symptoms when you arrive.
  • At your first appointment you will see either a qualified physiotherapist. On some occasions you may see a supervised student physiotherapist. If you do not want to be seen by a student, please let us know at the time you make your appointment.
  • At your initial appointment the physiotherapist will ask questions about your condition. Depending on the area of your symptoms some sensitive questions may need to be asked but this will be done in a respected manner. Please be reassured that everything you tell us is confidential but on some occasions we may need to detail some of the information back to your GP/care provider or other healthcare professional to assist with your management.
  • At each appointment a physical assessment may be required to improve our understanding of your symptoms. This may involve the clinician touching the affected area, testing your movement and strength. The therapist will ask your permission before this is done. If consent is not gained then the therapist will be unable to assess your problem area.
  • After your assessment, we will discuss your condition, agree goals and a treatment plan with you. Treatment is likely to include an exercise programme specific to your needs. We can also offer advice and exercises on how you can manage your condition yourself. You are free to withdraw your consent to assessment or treatment at any time.
  • When your treatment ends, we will send a discharge letter to your doctor or referring clinician.

Help with specific needs

Please let us know if you have any specific needs, when you make your appointment. If you need an interpreter we will arrange this. We use only NHS interpreters organised by our service.

Patient ambulance transport

A hospital or clinic appointment does not mean you qualify for patient transport. If for medical reasons you need this form of transport, you or your carer should arrange this. Please call the Scottish Ambulance Service on 0300 123 1236 to determine your eligibility.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran Musculoskeletal did not attend and cancellation policy 

If you fail to attend any appointment and do not contact us within 24 hours we will discharge you. If you cancel an appointment on more than 2 occasions we will discharge you.

We are also on social media!

Follow the links below to take you to our Facebook and Instagram Pages. Both pages are updated on a daily basis with up-to-date information and advice on musculoskeletal condition management. Why not give our pages a like!

MSK NHS Ayrshire and Arran: Facebook

MSK NHS Ayrshire and Arran: Instagram

Useful links