MSK assessment, anyone had this please?

kathbee

Hi all

Hope everyone is feeling not too bad today.

Has anyone been for an MSK assessment?
(muscloskeletal assessment).

If so, can you remember what they did, how long did
it take, where you offered MRI or x rays or what?

I have one on Tuesday as my mobility is really bad now.
I am stuggling to walk, I have a lot of back pain
and hip and knee pain. All down to RA and OA I'm afraid.

I've had a pretty bad week, having been bed bound for
two days, managing to shuffle around bent right over.

But am feeling hopeful that something can be done to help.
Maybe I am clutching at straws here. But you have to live
in hope.

I just dont ever remember putting my hand up and saying

'Can I have a go at this Rheumatoid Arthritis thing please
it sounds a right barrel 'o laughs'. :roll:

as I'm sure no one else does.
Yes, you may have guessed, I am feeling pretty fed up.

Hope you can help

Kath xx

debatat

Hi Kath, I haven't had this. It sounds interesting though. I suppose they are assessing how much of your body is affected as when the joints are affected it weakens the muscles.

Hope you feel better soon.

Deb x

kathbee

Hi Deb

thanks for your nice message.

Will let you know more about it
on Tuesday.

Luv Kath xx

elnafinn

Aw, dear, dear Kath, my heart goes out to you. I know it has been bad but still did not realise quite how bad it is for you now and I know you are a tough cookie where pain is concerned. I want to fly over and give your some TLC. Have you looked it up on the web at all? I just did and saw clips from a video on an american site but I am sure it would be similar over here. no MRI or xrays were mentioned - I have a feeling it is hands on, if you know what I mean. These were answers to a few questions on some more information I found:

How long does a treatment session last?
Your initial MSK assessment will usually last 40 or 60 minutes and the subsequent follow-up treatment sessions will last about 20 minutes.

How many treatment sessions will I need?
There is no predetermined number of treatments for a specific condition. However, following your initial assessment, your therapist will discuss and agree a treatment plan with you. This may include advice regarding the approximate number of treatments you may require. Response to treatment varies between individuals.

What will I have to wear?
If it is a back or leg problem that you have, you may want to bring your own shorts to change into for the therapist to assess you. The physiotherapist may ask you to remove clothing e.g. t-shirt / blouse but will not ask you to remove your underwear.

Will it hurt?
A therapist’s aim is not to increase your pain. However, you may experience some discomfort when a therapist is assessing / treating you. You must let them know if your are in pain at all.

I do hope there is help out there for you, Kath. You have been suffering for a long, long time.

I do feel very sad, reading your thread, why do things like this have to happen to the very loveliest of people - there is no answer, I know that.

I am sending you lots of love and TLC and hope that your appointment helps you and I so hope you have someone who knows exactly what they are doing and gives you confidence in them. You have had some pretty abysmal treatment lately, enough to scare anyone.

Elna xx(())

kathbee

Hi Elna

Oh thanks for that, you are so kind.

I did google it but I didnt manage to come
up with as much as you did.

I'll be a bit disappointed if they dont mention sending
me for a scan or xray, as how the heck can they tell
whats going on. They may just say its Arthur so that
wont help me one bit.

Maybe I will be pushy and tell them what I want this time.

If its the same situation as my last horrendous physio
session I will be writing to make a formal complaint this time
and not let it go.

Hope you are ok and maybe you are going to see your lovely
adoreable grand-daughter this weekend, you lucky lady.

Thanks again
Love Kath

frogmorton

Hi Kath
I only just saw this one
Sorry to hear you are suffering at the moment.
This siounds really interesting though - you will have to let us all know. The name implies a thorough overhaul doesn't it?
Till I saw Elna's info - I too would have expected some sort of scan....
I will think of you on tuesady
Take care
Toni x

elnafinn

Dear Kath

I also found this info on the nhs Harrogate and district website:

Initial assessment appointment

You will be assessed initially by either an extended scope podiatrist or extended scope physiotherapist. They will arrange any tests you need such as blood tests, scans or x-rays and can perform certain soft tissue or joint injections if required. They may then treat you themselves or refer you to another colleague or another service such as orthotics, pain management or occupational therapy.

If appropriate, the MSK team will aim to manage your care through to discharge (with assistance from the MSK consultants if required) and will provide appropriate self-care and management advice. In some cases they may recommend that they refer you on to a consultant.

Love
Elna x

kathbee

Thank you Toni
maybe MSK is another name for MOT.

Thank you Elna

That sounds a bit more promising as I had got to
thinking that I would see a physio who would take
details and then give me exercises to do, exactly
what happened in Feb this year and then that
awful session with the over enthusiastic scary physiotherapist
who made me ill.

I will let you know on Tuesday what happens and then
if anyone else faces the same appointment they will know
what to expect.

Love Kath xx

woodbon

Hi, I'm sorry you'r not so well, it pulls you down both physically and mentally dosent it. Send my best for your review, sounds similar to something I had done last year but I'm not sure. Anyway, if it is its nothing to worry about, just checking out the best treatment for you.

I hope you feel better soon. Love Sue

kathbee

Thank you Sue

Hope you are feeling a little better too.

Love Kath

kathbee

HI

I just got back from the MSK assessment appointment
(muscleoskeletal) and
glad to say it went well l and I gained a lot from the meeting.

It wasnt with a physio like I had feared it would be, it was a really
nice lady who works alongside the Spinal specialist consultant, and luckily has plenty of authority to set the ball rolling via different departments.

She was very thorough and I had a lot of confidence in her.
She examined me, took me thru a few movements etc and showed
me an xray from a few yrs ago of my back and told me I have a
fracture on my spine just above the waist area and then
I went for an xray on my hips. (The fracture is probably due to a fall in 2007)

So I am probably going to have to have my right hip replaced
She showed me the new pic on screen against one a few yrs ago and the right hip ball is practically non existent, she said no wonder your hip is limiting you and is painful, as well as the back pain .
She also mentioned the cracking of my right knee everytime I moved. :roll:

Then I am going to have a scan on my spine and neck which I am waiting
for the appointment for that to come thru and then see the Spinal specialist.

So all in all things are moving and I feel at least something might be able to be done. Although she did say back surgery is not as easy as hip surgery of which I am sure it isnt by a long way.

Therefore if anyone gets called for this assessment you will now know what to expect as I didnt know.

From 'a feeling more positive Kath'
xx

tkachev

Thanks for that Kathbee

This info will help a lot of people in the future.It is always nice to know what to expect from an appointment.
I am glad things are moving on.Having had a hip replacement recently I am sure this will really help you.
I wish you well and let us know how things progress.

Take care Tkachev X

skezier

Hi Kath,

I am sorry I missed this post...... :oops: my eyes are really bad just now.

I'm glad she really was tougher and I think I should like one of these assessments too...... Did you ask for it or is it just something they do up there?

It makes you wonder who read your back x ray eh? I am pleased she is going to help you, that help is long over due.

A Big (((( )))) and hope things get sorted for you soon.

Love

Cris x

elnafinn

Echo, echo, Cris, that help IS so overdue for Kath. Hopefully this is the way forward - better late than never aye?

Lots of love to you both,
Elna xx(())

kathbee

Thank you girls for your nice posts.

Cris
I went to see my GP in August asking for pain clinic referral as I was doing really badly, pain, walking etc and he said he would refer me to a spinal specialist first to see what was going on.
I do go to regular Rheumy appointments as I have RA and OA,
but I mostly get told to see my GP if it is out of their referral 'pathway'.

Hey, I found out that 'pathway' word today at the clinic.

So when the letter came thru saying MSK assessment, I wasnt sure what to expect but feel better after seeing someone so knowledgeable, helpful and considerate.

Hope everyone of my buddies on here
are all doing their best to be ok.
difficult though it is.


Love Kath xx

ritwren

So glad to hear things went really well for you even if the damage is worse than you thought. At least now you know and will be on the "pathway" to getting some help.
Hope you get followed up soon.
rita

kathbee

Thank you Rita for your
good wishes, hope you are doing
alright at the moment and you are
managing as best you can.

Love Kath