Service aims

Community Orthopaedics offers a local service, which reduces the wait for an expert opinion.

For more in-depth information, please visit our website.

Advanced physiotherapy practitioners

All our clinicians are advanced physiotherapy practitioners (APPs). They are physiotherapists who have undertaken additional, advanced level training to specialise in the field of orthopaedics. They are able to carry out assessments and treatments beyond the normal scope of physiotherapy.

Your first appointment

Your first appointment is usually an assessment, but may include some treatment.

You may be asked to undress to your underwear for a thorough assessment, so you might wish to wear appropriate underwear, such as shorts or a sports bra. You may be asked about your medical and social history.

Occasionally an assessment, which is needed to provide a diagnosis, can cause a flare up of symptoms, for example pain or inflammation.

The outcome of your assessment will be discussed with you and your clinician will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

The clinician may write a detailed report and send it to your GP. If you would like a copy of this, please ask your clinician.

If you and your clinician agree that you should be referred to another service, we will securely pass on relevant information. Please let your clinician know if there is any information you do not wish us to share.

You may have someone accompany you.

Cancelled and missed appointments

If you miss your appointment on more than one occasion or cancel more than once with less than two day’s notice, you will be discharged and your GP informed.

This helps us to keep waiting times down and offer appointments to other patients. Thank you for understanding.

Information on injections

If an injection is recommended, your clinician will discuss this with you and ask you to sign a consent form. Some patients may find an injection slightly uncomfortable or may experience a slight stinging sensation.

You may drive after having an injection, however, if you come to your appointment by car, it may be reassuring to have someone accompany you who can also drive.

Clinic locations

We run clinics in 15 community locations across Kent.

Service hours

Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

Useful websites

• Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance www.arma.uk.net
• British Orthopaedic Association www.boa.ac.uk
• Arthritis Care www.arthritiscare.org.uk
• Arthritis Research UK www.arc.org.uk
• Backcare www.backcare.org.uk
• Expert Patients Programme www.kentcht.nhs.uk/epp
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy www.csp.org.uk
• NHS nhs.uk