BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT

musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment

What is a muscoloskeletal (MSK) podiatry assessment?

An MSK Podiatry assessment is similar to that of the biomechanical assessment. Our HCPC Podiatrists and Orthotists are experts in musculoskeletal assessment. This is the specialist understanding that underpins any biomechanical assessment and is the most important part of our assessment. Collectively we have over 50 years of clinical experience and boast nationally recognised clinical specialists within our team. The Treatment Hub clinical team also delivers biomechanics and MSK assessment training across the UK.

Clinicians involved in MSK assessment should have more in-depth understanding of orthoapedics. Mores specifically, they should have surgical orthopaedic knowledge, and be comfortable with diagnostic imaging such as x-ray and MRI imaging.

As part of our MSK team, we have clinicians who still work in specialist foot and ankle NHS orthopaedic clinics and regularly work with orthopaedic surgeons. Our clinicians commonly see patients with conditions such as.

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • posterior tibial tendonopathy
  • Achilles tendonopathy

Often specific conditions effect the various small bones and joints of the foot and ankle. MSK podiatry and biomechanical assessment is used to establish why excessive wear and tear has taken place in a particular joint or soft tissue structure.

The Treatment Hub Podiatrists and Orthotists are leaders in the field of assessment and provide training on national MSK assessment courses for Podiatrists and Orthotists across the country. Some of our clinicians also lecture on the degree program at the University of Strathclyde for Prosthetics and Orthotics.

MSK Assessment Key Aspects

  • Relevant medical history
  • Static alignment (an assessment of your body alignment when standing)
  • Tissue stress testing
  • Functional assessment testing
  • Joint range of motion assessment to understand the available movement of the body
  • Muscle powers of affected areas
  • The use of biomechanical theories such as sagittal plane theory, tissue stress and the understanding of the phases of pathological gait
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Diagnostic Imaging

Our team also have access to further assessment such as diagnostic imaging x-ray, MRI or CT via our close working relationship with our Orthopaedic colleagues. As such, if we feel that after our MSK and biomechanical assessments that any surgical opinion including further images is required we can refer you directly to our orthopaedic team members for further assessment.

One of the unique aspects of our service is that if joint biomechanics and orthopaedic appointment is required we can also arrange this which means both approaches complement each other

The Treatment Hub teamwork with Miss Roslyn Miller Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon who is a specialist in foot and ankle surgery.

Miss Miller and the team have worked closely together on a weekly basis since 2011 to ensure there is a joined-up approach inpatient care. She has clinics in both Harley St, London and also in Glasgow