Case Histories

The following are the stories of a selection of patients with Musculoskeletal pain, but no other relevant medical condition (unless otherwise mentioned) who came into our service.

1. John a 32 year old office worker, sprained his ankle playing football, was unable to continue playing but was able to walk. The following day (day 2) his ankle was bruised and swollen so he rang his GP. The receptionist offered him the PhysioLine option, and he was phoned at work at lunchtime on day 3. Following the call John felt reassured and was sent a leaflet on managing the problem and given a further telephone appointment on day 20. Despite feeling much improved he spoke to the Physio on PhysioLine again on day 20 and was given further exercises to return to football.

“I know I hadn’t broken it but wanted to make sure I was doing all the right things. PhysioLine was just the right thing for me”.

2. Susan, a 34 year old part-time bank worker and mother of a five year old, woke with moderate pain in her lower back after moving house three days previous. She went to see her GP on day 1, who recommended PhysioLine and gave her Connect’s Back Pain Advice Leaflet. She self certificated and PhysioLine rang her day 2, she was sent a Connect DVD re low back pain. She was given an appointment to see Physio at the practice on day 6 and was asssessed face to face, commenced treatment including acupuncture and further exercises, and recommended and encouraged to increase mobility and confidence. Further treatments took place on days 9, 14, 17. Returned to work day 16. Pain eased completely by day 28.

“It was really useful to speak to a Physio quickly after I’d done it. I was over-protecting myself and they gave me confidence to get moving, and with the acupuncture, my pain began to get easier”.

3. Les, aged 51 years, has driven HGV’s for twenty years but for the last 3 months has driven a fork lift truck in a distribution centre. He has had worsening pain in his right shoulder since the second week but fears he will lose his job if he is ‘off sick’. Makes appointment with GP who refers him to Primary Care Based Physiotherapy which he commenced on day 11. After assessment the Physio recommends referral to IMATT where he is seen on day 16. The GPwSI performs an ultrasound scan and discovers some inflammation of a tendon and injects it under the guidance of the scan.

He is reviewed in IMATT on day 37 and his pain is 50% reduced. Following a further four weeks of active rehab his symptoms have remained the same so the GPwSI offered him a further injection which he takes. Following this, he is 90% improved and the problem is manageable.

“Although I’m not completely better I am able to work and so I’m not bothered”

4. A 55 year old receptionist, called Maureen, has intermittent episodes of neck pain which responds well to short courses of Physio. She is familiar with a self-management programme of posture and exercises and books herself into Primary Care Based Physiotherapy when she feels her symptoms are worsening and receives 2-3 sessions once or twice per year.

“Once my neck got really bad, because I was on holiday for two weeks and then by the time I got into physio when I got back it was another two weeks. So, I find nipping into the Physio when it first starts really helpful”

5. An active 14 year old, called Chloe, has a three month history of intermittent, but worsening bilateral knee pain. Her mum phones her practice for a GP appointment but accepts the offer of Primary Care Based Physiotherapy.

After assessment, Chloe is given some exercises (which she does only occasionally, she admits) to strengthen her leg muscles. After four weeks she is 30% better and is referred, by the Physio, to a bio-mechanical podiatrist for some shoe insoles. She is completely resolved after 2 months.

6. Tina, a 29 year old quantity surveyor, has an RTA where she collides with a car on a roundabout. She is assessed and discharged by A & E but phones her GP practice on day 4 because she is suffering from neck pain. She opts to speak to PhysioLine and receives some advice on day 6 and is sent a Connect DVD on self-management and exercises. She is given the option to call back if her symptoms persist and she does so on day 18 because she still has some pain. Following further questioning she is seen on day 25 for a face to face assessment. Following this she is reassured and manages well herself.

“I was worried that if I didn’t do the right thing at the start I would end up with problems like my mum. The advice was really useful but it was most reassuring to be seen by the Physio”.

7. Chris, a 43 year old electrician, complains of worsening elbow pain so his wife phones the practice for an appointment to see the doctor who refers him for Primary Care Based Physiotherapy. He is offered acupuncture which he declines and is referred to IMATT. He receives an ultrasound scan and is offered an injection. Following 2 injections he continues to have problems.

He follows advice given by the specialist physiotherapist and manages his problem until it settles.

He continues to get symptoms intermittently which he manages himself.

“It was good to be seen quickly and they tried everything – at least I know what it is and know its up to me to look after it”.

8. Barry, although 53 years old, is a very fit assistant head teacher of a senior school. One day he slips whilst walking his dog and has pain in his knee.

His GP refers him to Primary Care Based Physiotherapy where he is seen on day 12 and a ligament injury is diagnosed. After several sessions he is fully recovered.

“The last time I really injured myself I had to pay to get treatment otherwise I would have had to wait weeks. So, to get this type of treatment on the NHS is great”.