I have my first musculo-skeletal appointment

keldi

Hi, I have a musculo-skeletal appointment this Thursday and I really don't know what to expect. Can anyone help?

I have been asked to wear shorts and trainers for the hour long appointment. Surely they don't intend putting me through my paces in the gym I have also been asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding the levels and sites of pain and the restrictions they cause. This can change on a daily basis so I am not sure what to include in my answers as I don't want them to be misleading.

Has anyone else had a similar appointment, and what are your best tips.

Embrace the good days

Diane

julie47

Morning diane

Good luck with thursdays appointment. Hope those trainers are shiney
I expect they will test most of your joints, hips,knees,spine at this appointment, probably see how far you move them without pain. They may have you touching your toes and stretching upwards. I am not sure it is just a guess.
They may also send you for xrays.
You say you have to fill in a questionnaire well I think it is important you mark down all your problem areas even though they differ from day to day.

I am sure someone else will come along with more informative advice.

Take care
Juliepf x

stickywicket

Hope it goes well, Keldi. I think the shorts & trainers are essentially so that you go in as a human being rather than a patient. They'll need to see legs in action I guess. Good luck. I'll give my bell a twang for you.

woodbon

Hi, Yes I've had physio when I've had to dress like that. I think its so you keep your dignity when you are on the couch having your joints tested! Also, as someone said they can see how you walk and things. Good luck! Love Sue xxx

dreamdaisy

I think what the others have said makes sense, they want to see your joints in action and be able to move them to test for range of movement etc without compromising your dignity. As for answering questions I think that basing your answers on a worst-day scenario will give them more accurate information than good day ones. They are trying to assess or measure the impact of this on your joints and that will tell them just how much you are being affected. I hope it goes well and please let us know how you get on. DD

angelgirl7

When I had mine, I had to wear comfy clothes so went for leggings, t-shirt and trainers. As my OA is in my hips there was lots of moving my legs around etc so just aswell I wore what I did.
The appointment was OK but I personally didn't like the blokes attitude - I came out feeling very let down and felt he spoke down to me. At one point he told me I should use a wii at home, I asked if the NHS would pay for one (joking) and he got really moody with me.

Hope your appointment goes well

Beckie XX

dorcas

Hi Diane

I haven't had this type of assessment... but guess that it will be very much as the other folks have described. ... an MOT of all your joints/ movement/ restrictions

Just wanted to wish you good luck for Thursday...

Iris xxx

skezier

Hi Diane,

I think long ago I had something like that to determine where and how bad the oa was...... It was just a full look at all aspects of movement and a degree of manipulation to see if the could go in the direction they are meant to go in if made to etc.

For me it didn’t seem to make much odds but its years ago and things can change.

I was just given a sheet of things I could try and do to keep the mobility and also a stern lecture on the things I was doing I shouldn’t be.....Being young I threw the list away and carried on doing the things I was..... Never know if that helped trash me or not

The questionnaire .... I think maybe put on a bad day and then tell them what it is like or else do the bad day answers and just add but its variable. They should know the bone shift is up and down so that is what I would do I think.

The pain clinic questioner is black and white but I sometimes do write beside the answers cus they should know it does really change and mess us about here and there.

Good luck on Thursday and will sneak into your pocket cus I am interested in if it’s the same thing I had back along. Cris x

frogmorton

Hi Diane

I have never had one of these myself so can l hop in your pocket too to see what happens?

I promise to behave and only pop out if you need me

Love

Toni xx

kathbee

Hi Diane

Good luck for tomorrow.

I had the musculo-skeletal thing 2 yrs ago.

I didnt have to do the shorts and trainers thing - thankfully.

I had to walk across the room, no trousers on though so she could see the way I walked, also was lying on the bed and she asked me to lift certain joints as she examined me.
Had an xray and was shown it on screen and told there and then that my hip was badly damaged and had appointments made for an MRI scan re my back and to see the ortho consultant re my hip.

So it was a good appointment, one of the most thorough ever. No discomfort, just positive outcome.

I subsequently had my right hip replaced 3 months later ( I could hardly walk by then) with very good results, and the MRI scan showed 2 displaced discs, a bone fracture in the spine from a fall, and neck problems, quite a lot I know, but better I know than not, and wonder what the heck the pain and probs are all about.

Hope you do ok.

Kath

elnafinn

Hi Diane

I have bumped up a thread started by Ankyspond regarding pain maps - thought this may help you with your forthcoming musculo-skeletal appointment.

Elna x