The musculoskeletal (MSK) outpatient therapy service at University College Hospital provides assessment and treatment for a wide range of patients. We have numerous specialties including orthopaedics, rheumatology, hand therapy, women’s health, orthotics, podiatry as well as spinal non-operative and operative patients with musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Our multidisciplinary team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, podiatrists, therapy assistants and nursing staff, supported by an administrative team.
Please note: we do not accept therapy referrals from GPs.
The service is only available to patients who are already under the management of a UCLH consultant.
Our Teams
We have several specialities which are listed below. Each of our specialist teams are led by an advanced physiotherapy practitioner.
Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of rheumatological issues. We run dedicated outpatient clinics, and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.
Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones include:
- Axial Spondyloarthropathy
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Hypermobility
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Dermatomyositis
- Sjogrens/Lupus
Some Useful Resources:
- Axial Spondyloarthritis advice and exercise guidance from the National Axial spondyloarthritis society (NASS)
- Osteoporosis Advice and Exercise Guidance from the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS)
- Our Osteoporosis advice and video
- Rheumatoid arthritis advice and exercise guidance (Arthritis Foundation)
- Hypermobility Educational Video
Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the spine. We run dedicated outpatient clinics, specialised exercise groups and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.
Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones include:
- Neck Pain
- Upper/Low Back Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-Surgery (i.e. lumbar fusion, decompression)
- Nerve Pain/Injury (i.e. sciatica)
Some Useful Resources:
Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the leg/lower limb. We run dedicated outpatient clinics, specialised exercise groups and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.
Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones include:
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Soft Tissue Injury (i.e. ankle sprain)
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-Fracture (i.e. neck of femur, tibial plateau)
- Joint Replacement (i.e. knee, hip)
- Reconstructive Surgery (i.e. ACL repair)
- Tendon Pain (i.e. Achilles)
Some Useful Resources:
- Early-Stage Lower Limb Rehabilitation Exercises (UCH MSK Service)
- Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Exercises (UCH MSK Service)
- Hip Osteoarthritis Information (Versus Arthritis)
- Knee Osteoarthritis Information (Versus Arthritis)
- ESCAPE hip/knee
Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the arm/upper limb. We run dedicated outpatient clinics and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.
Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones are:
- Shoulder Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-Fracture (i.e. humeral head, radial head)
- Joint Replacement (i.e. shoulder, elbow)
- Post-Surgery (i.e. rotator cuff repair)
- Tendon Pain (i.e. rotator cuff, tennis elbow)
Some Useful Resources:
Our qualified therapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues related to the hand. We run dedicated outpatient clinics and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.
Typically, we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones are:
- Fractures (i.e. distal radius, metacarpals)
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Dupuytrens Contracture
- Trigger Finger/Thumb
- Tendon Pain (i.e. DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis)
Useful Resources:
Our qualified physiotherapists have experience of assessing a variety of issues such as rehabilitation for women with bladder, bowel and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction; and musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy. We run dedicated outpatient clinics and work with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best possible care for each person.
Typically we see patients with a variety of conditions. Some of the more common ones are:
- Urinary incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Faecal incontinence or bowel evacuation disorders
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Perineal pain and/or dyspareunia
- Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction
- Antenatal musculoskeletal pain such as lower back pain or pelvic girdle pain
- Persistent pelvic pain syndromes
Useful Resources:
Antenatal advice and exercise guidance from the association of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy:
- “Fit for pregnancy – exercises and advice to stay fit and health during pregnancy”
- “Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain for mothers to be and new mothers”
Link to our antenatal advice and exercise videos:
Postnatal advice and exercise:
- UCLH Women’s Health Physiotherapy early postnatal advice and exercise page
- “Fit for the future – essential advice and exercises following childbirth” from the association of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy
General enquiries
Service management
Other contact information
Appointments line: UCLH contact centre - 020 3456 7014
Address
Musculoskeletal Outpatient Therapy Service (UCH)
Therapy and Rehabilitation Department
Lower Ground Floor
University College Hospital
235 Euston Road
London NW1 2BU
We receive referrals through our online healthcare system (EPIC). These are then triaged by a senior member of staff. If accepted, an appointment is then booked by our administrative support teams on site or at the UCLH Contact Centre.
NB: We do not accept any referrals for adolescent or paediatric patients. A request should be sent via your GP to refer to your local services.
We offer either virtual (telephone or video calling) or in-person appointments. Following an initial assessment, your therapist will work with you to create a rehabilitation plan.
Treatment you are offered is individualised and may include advice and education, manual therapy, independent home exercise programme, class-based exercise and/or hydrotherapy.
It is very important you're able to attend your appointment. If you need to change or cancel your appointment for any reason please ring the department number shown in your appointment letter as soon as possible.
All classes are run by qualified therapists from within our team. We offer a number of in-person group rehabilitation classes, suitable for a range of conditions and abilities. If suitable, referrals to relevant classes are completed following an individual assessment by your physiotherapist.
- Lower Limb Class (Early)
- Back Class
- Pilates
- Lower Limb Class (Intermediate and Advanced)
- ACL Rehabilitation Class
- Total Knee Replacement Class
We have a heated Hydrotherapy pool on site available for patients who meet our specific hydrotherapy criteria.Sessions are 30 minutes long and involve tailored exercise programmes for each patient.
The MSK therapy outpatient department is open as follows:
- Monday-Thursday: 08:00-18:15
- Friday: 08:00-17:45
- Saturday-Sunday: closed