John Milner, Ruchika Dewan & Clare Platt - Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practitioners

John, Ruchika and Clare are our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practitioners and are based on the North Coast at either Perranporth or St Agnes surgery.

They all have extensive expertise in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of MSK (muscle or joint) conditions.

They see patients, aged 16 and over, with (suspected or diagnosed) MSK conditions, as the first point of contact, without need for a GP referral.

‘Musculoskeletal conditions’ is a broad term, encompassing around 200 different conditions affecting the muscles, joints and bones.

These conditions are a big problem in the UK; with over 17 million people living with a musculoskeletal condition, more people suffer with disability from musculoskeletal conditions than anything else.

Good health of bones, joints and muscles underpins living life well. Musculoskeletal conditions affect nearly everyone at some point in their life. They can cause pain, fatigue, restricted mobility and activities of daily living. They impact people’s lives, their work and even people’s other health conditions.

Conditions of the bones, joints and muscles represent a significant cost to the individual, the economy and health and social care.

The receptionist will book a telephone appointment with one of the team if your condition is suitable for their assessment without you having to wait to speak with a GP first.

CRITERIA INCLUDED:

• All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries

• Arthritis - any joint

• Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone eg tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains

• Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain

• Spinal related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms, eg pins and needles or numbness

• Changes to walking

• Post-orthopaedic surgery

CRITERIA EXCLUDED:

• Acutely unwell patients

• Children under 16 years of age

• Medical management of rheumatoid conditions

• Women’s health, antenatal and post natal problems

• House-bound patients

• Medication Reviews

• Neurological and respiratory conditions

• Headaches

• Acute mental health crises

• Patient who would prefer NOT to see a FCP