Musculoskeletal (MSK)

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect the joints, bones and muscles, and also include rarer autoimmune diseases and back pain. 

Physiothapy can help to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability.

It can also reduce the risk of injury or illness in the future.

There is a range of support available for patients 

MSK Get U Better App

What is GET U BETTER APP?
Our patients can now access free and evidence-based support of new, recurrent and long term MSK injuries and conditions. 
This includes help with all common muskuloskeletal (muscle, bone and joint) injuries and conditions.

Who the app is for?

  • Patients with new, recurring or long-term MSK injuries and conditions
  • Patients requiring self-management support
  • Patients 18 years old or older
  • Available in 14 languages and Touch to-Speak

Who is getUBetter for?

Anyone over 18 who requires self-management support for a new, recurrent or long-term MSK condition(s); this makes it suitable for about 80% of MSK patients.  This includes:

  • Back pain
  • Back and leg pain
  • Neck pain
  • Knee pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Sprains and Strains – leg
  • Ankle Pain
  • Hip Pain
  • Elbow Pain
  • Tendinopathy – Arm
  • Hand

It is not for those who require targeted physiotherapy or medical management, e.g. rheumatological condition, bone injury or ACL injury

To get started, please visit the following Get U Better website:  getUBetter - Getting started and follow the steps to download the app. 
What is getUBetter?

The getUBetter is working in partnership with North East London ICS and the NHS, to provide safe digital self- management for all common muscle, bone and joint injuries and conditions using locally configured MSK pathways.  The app is NICE approved and supported by our local GPs and MSK clinicians

getUBetter is available in primary and secondary care for patients in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest, Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge. It is currently being used by 25% of ICSs in England.

Is it safe?

Yes, it is safe and evidence based.  All the self-management pathways have been signed off and approved by North East London ICB.  The app has been locally configured to our ICB MSK pathways and is regularly updated.  By providing the app you are not clinically responsible as it is designed to be given as part of routine care.  The app has multiple layers of risk management; it provides safe self-management but will advise patients to seek help if needed.  getUBetter is not a substitute for clinical care but a routine part of it.

What are the features of getUBetter?
  • Can safely promote self-management but advising patients to seek help if needed;
  • Accessible, targeted and personalised self-management support and advice videos;
  • Exercises, which are based on the patient’s stage of recovery and the ability to self- progress;
  • Recovery monitoring, including setting aims and goals, a pain scale, and a diary function;
  • A symptom checker which will signpost to the appropriate service if there are any symptoms of concern;
  • Access and the ability to directly book local treatments and services, such as physiotherapy and wellbeing services (weight loss support, exercise opportunities, talking therapies etc.)

14 Touch to Speak languages function for:

  • Arabic
  • Bengali
  • Farsi
  • Gujarati
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Punjabi
  • Romanian
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Ukrainian
  • Urdu
  • Welsh
  • English

First Contact Physio - appointments now available at your GP

First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) are advanced practitioners, now available from General Practices.
They have an extensive expertise in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. 

 

What are the benefits of having access to a First Contact Physiotherapist from my GP?

Patients with muskuloskeletal pains, including conditions like arthritis or back and joint pains, can now directly access First Contact Physiotherapists, bypassing the need for a GP visit or hospital referral.

This means patients receive faster diagnosis and treatment, enabling them to better manage their conditions and expedite their recovery.

This not only aids patients but also supports GPs in efficiently managing their workload and minimizes the necessity for further referrals.

 

How can a First Contact Physiotherapist support patient?

They can assess, diagnose and treat a range of complex muscle and joint conditions, giving expert advice on how best to manage MSK conditions or referring them onto specialist services if necessary, including:

  • Back pain, neck pain
  • Shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow or wrist pain
  • Any muscle injuries, strains / sprains / tears
  • After joint surgery e.i.: knee / hip replacement, shoulder surgery
  • Sciatica
  • Arthritis
  • All sport injuries

By easier access to physiotherapist, patients can receive a diagnosis and treatment, helping them to manage their conditions more effectively and recover faster, so they can get back to normal life quickly.

physiotherapy

 

To find out more on how the First Contact Physiotherapist can support patients, watch the video below (opens in a new window).