Musculoskeletal Community Specialist Service (MSK CSS)

Shoulder, Elbow, Knee, Hip, Foot, and Ankle pain could be caused by a number of different reasons, such as an injury or a long-term health condition.

When you’re referred to us by your GP, we’ll recommend the right treatment to suit you. 

In some cases, this may involve a referral to our one of our physiotherapy or orthopaedic teams.

You’re welcome to bring a friend or a family member along to the assessment.

We may offer specialist assessment for your symptoms if we need to better understand what may be going on.  

We’ll talk with you about your symptoms, and how they’re affecting your daily life. We may ask you to move around, and so we suggest that you wear loose, comfortable clothing.

We may arrange further testing, such as X-rays, MRI scans, or blood tests.

Find out more about X-rays, MRI scans, and blood tests 

Treatment

Depending on your results, we’ll offer different treatments, such as:

• One-to-one physiotherapy sessions, to help improve your movement and strength
• An orthopaedic surgical opinion, to talk to you if you do need surgery to help your symptoms
• Arranging referral to our other services, such as our integrated pain and spinal service (IPASS), neurology, rheumatology, or our physiotherapy or orthopaedic teams

Find out more about our IPASS service (opens a new browser tab) 

After your assessment, we’ll send you and your GP information about your treatment plan and any further tests we need to carry out.

To access our service, you need to be over 18 years old and registered with a GP in West Berkshire.

You first need to be seen by your GP. If the pain hasn’t improved, they will refer you to us.

You can contact us if you have any questions about our service.

Email mskcss@berkshire.nhs.uk

Call 0118 904 6142

We provide support in clinics across West Berkshire. Depending on your needs and where you live, we may be able to arrange your appointment at a clinic close to you.

Our team is available to contact between 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Our service is unavailable on Saturdays and Sundays.