Lockdown pressed the pause button on all of our lives and if you have been waiting for medical treatment this is likely to have been a major challenge. People with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, gout or osteomyelitis may have seen a worsening of their symptoms. If you were unfortunate enough to sustain a sprain, strain or stress-fracture or if you have spinal problems, you may have had an extended period of discomfort or pain.
As we emerge from lockdown, seeking treatment is likely to be your number one priority. But you may also have questions and concerns. This blog aims to set out some possible next steps and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
How a diagnosis can help
Pain is debilitating and it can be exhausting. If the reason for your pain is unclear, it can also cause anxiety and fear. One of the ways W27 can help is by providing a definitive diagnosis using state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging such as MRI, CT scans, X-ray, ultrasound and diagnostic arthrogram injections. Once you know exactly what is causing your symptoms you can discuss the most effective course of treatment with your orthopaedic surgeon.
Will I have to wait for treatment?
Unfortunately, even though things are slowly getting back to normal a considerable backlog has built up during lockdown which means that there are likely to be further long delays in receiving treatment for certain conditions. Some patients who are able to are considering having private medical treatment so they can be seen quicker. However, not everyone is able to go this route and it’s important to be aware of the things you can do in the meantime to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life while you are waiting for treatment.
Managing your symptoms
Making some simple lifestyle changes, such as losing weight to relieve the pressure on your joints, taking regular gentle exercise to keep joints flexible and eating a healthy balanced diet to reduce inflammation in your body will all help you to manage your symptoms more effectively while you wait for treatment.
Non-surgical treatments
A number of non-surgical treatments are available for conditions like arthritis and for soft tissue injuries. These can help to provide short to medium-term relief from symptoms until you are able to find a more lasting solution, possibly via surgery. Here at W27 we offer:
- Ultrasound guided injections: We offer injections of corticosteroids to relieve pain and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis. Ultrasound is used to guide the injections and ensure they are administered in precisely the right place. We also provide dry needling, which is a technique to promote cellular regeneration and healing in damaged tendons, and injections of hyaluronic acid which help to lubricate joints that are affected by wear and tear.
- Ultrasound guided injections of platelet rich plasma: These are part of an emerging field of healthcare called orthobiologics which combines new technologies with the body’s own natural healing abilities. Platelet rich plasma is injected into damaged tissues to stimulate the body to grow new healthy cells and promote healing.
Can I have treatment alongside a Covid vaccination?
If you are having a Covid-19 vaccination, The British Orthopaedic Association has issued helpful guidance about the best timing for treatments, including therapeutic injections. It is recommended that you wait seven days after having either dose of the vaccine before having a surgical procedure. This is to ensure that any symptoms that arise as a result of the vaccination are not confused with post-surgical complications.
If you are having an ultrasound guided injection of corticosteroids, it is safe to have this alongside the Covid vaccine however your body might not produce such a good immune response. Consequently, you may wish to delay the steroid injection for a couple of weeks. We recommend discussing this with your orthopaedic consultant.
As normal life resumes, it is natural to want to get back to living a full and active life. Talk to us about the full range of diagnostic and treatment options to help you on your recovery journey.
SPORTS INJURY TREATMENT | MANCHESTER, LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE
W27 provides fast, accurate diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal symptoms and conditions using the latest state-of-the-art imaging facilities.
For your appointment there is a choice of locations:
The John Charnley Wing, Wrightington Hospital – Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP
HCA The Wilmslow Hospital – 52 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1NY
Euxton Hall Hospital – Wigan Road, Euxton, Chorley, PR7 6DY
The Spire Manchester – 170 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2AF
The OrthTeam Centre Ohm Building – 168 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, M20 2AF
MedSerena Upright MRI Centre Manchester – 26-28 The Boulevard, Manchester, M20 2EU
MedSerena Upright MRI Centre London – 114a Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW7 4ES
Information about our Fees can be found here.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options with a specialist, please contact the team to book an initial consultation.
