Clinical Assessment
The clinic offers clinical assessments for all spinal conditions. This assessment identifies those patients with serious spinal pathologies or neurological deficits so that further medical, radiological and/or surgical intervention can be commenced without delay.
This assessment also allows us to identify patients with simple back or neck pain, or nerve root pain that may be best managed through starting a comprehensive course of treatment with our specialised spinal physiotherapists. In addition, many of these conditions may be rapidly treated with minimally invasive pain relieving procedures such as x-ray guided cortisone injections.
The clinical assessment will include a comprehensive clinical review of your symptoms and prior history in addition to an examination of the spine, nervous system and joints. The severity of the your condition is assessed using clinical scoring systems. We then develop an individualised treatment plan with you to optimise your recovery. The majority of patients presenting with spinal problems respond very quickly to non- operative interventions such as physiotherapy or injections. Ideally you will have had a MRI scan prior to attending the clinic. Our staff will be happy to help you organise this. If further investigations are required after your assessment, we will help you access these.
These may include:
Plain X-Rays to look at the overall alignment of the spine.
MRI scans with contrast dyes to evaluate nerve compression.
CT scans to assess bony deformities or fractures.
Nerve Conduction Studies to assess neurological compression.
CT SPECT scans to assess significant degenerative changes in the spinal column.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your initial clinical assessment will involve an individual assessment of your case. A general health assessment will first be completed including an assessment of your overall medical conditions, BMI, and exercise regime.
A thorough clinical assessment of your spine, nervous system and joints will be completed. There may be some element of undressing, and we encourage patients to wear sensible clothing such as a vest top and/or comfortable shorts.
Any potentially serious spinal or neurological condition will be identified. In some cases, additional investigations may be required to gather further information. Patients with simple back or neck will be prescribed an initial treatment plan.
FURTHER CARE
If further investigations are recommended, the team will organise for this in consultation with you. You will receive a comprehensive report of your case following the assessment and we will work with you to develop your treatment plan and this will be forwarded onto to your GP / Physiotherapist.
The vast majority of spinal conditions do not require surgery and can be treated simply, using exercises, manipulations, dry needling and spinal injections.
Multidisciplinary team approach including expert initial assessment by a spine specialist physiotherapist and fellowship trained spine surgeon.
Rapid access to advanced diagnostic modalities including MRI
Rapid diagnosis and immediate commencement of appropriate treatment
Rapid access to immediate physiotherapy, pain management or surgical interventions as required.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your initial multidisciplinary assessment will involve a spinal specialist physiotherapist who will undertake an individual assessment of your case. A general health assessment will first be completed including an assessment of your overall medical conditions, BMI, exercise regime, and diet.
Your physiotherapist will then complete a thorough clinical assessment of your spine, nervous system and joints. There may be some element of undressing, and we encourage patients to wear sensible clothing such as a vest top and/or comfortable shorts.
Any serious spinal or neurological condition that requires immediate referral to a spine surgeon or an urgent MRI scan will be identified. All cases are reviewed by the multidisciplinary team including a consultant spine surgeon and pain specialist and the most suitable treatment options for each patient identified. Patients with simple back or neck will be prescribed an initial treatment plan.
