The musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy service is based at Darent Valley Hospital. Referrals are received from Consultants, GPs and Self-Referrals.

We receive a wide variety of referrals which can include trauma and orthopaedics, rheumatology, soft tissue injuries, neck and back pain, with a smaller percentage of patients being referred from medicine, ENT and plastic surgery.

The service operates a triaged waiting list system to ensure that referrals are assessed, prioritised and managed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The waiting time for patients depends on how the referral has been triaged. All acute referrals are booked in at the next available appointment, within 10 working days and routine referrals receive a letter soon after receipt openly communicating the waiting time and asking patients to ring in and book their appointment.

Within the department we have a fully equipped gymnasium that is available for patients to use with their therapist and for staff to use out of hours. We run a number of group classes in the gym which are led by the Physiotherapy Department in house Sports Therapist.

MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (MSK-HQ)

 

This questionnaire is about your joint, back, neck, bone and muscle symptoms such as aches, pains and/or stiffness.

 

Please focus on the particular health problem(s) for which you sought treatment from this service.

 

For each question tick one box to indicate which statement best describes you over the last 2 weeks.

 

Required
Required

1. Pain/stiffness during the day

Required

2. Pain/stiffness during the night

Required

3. Walking

Required

4. Washing/Dressing

Required

5. Physical activity levels

Required

6. Work/daily routine

Required

7. Social activities and hobbies

Required

8. Needing help

Required

9. Sleep

Required

10. Fatigue or low energy

Required

11. Emotional well-being

Required

12. Understanding of your condition and any current treatment

Required

13. Confidence in being able to manage your symptoms

Required

14. Overall impact

Required

15. Physical activity levels

 

In the past week, on how many days have you done a total of 30 minutes or more of physical activity, which was enough to raise your heart rate? This may include sport, exercise and brisk walking or cycling for recreation or to get to and from places, but should not include housework or physical activity that is part of your job.
Required