This is a question often asked by clients when they are either contacting the clinic to book an appointment or indeed deciding whether to consult.

So, I thought it would be useful for me to provide some guidance on the subject to allow you to make an informed decision and ensure there are no delays in your treatment pathway.

So, let’s start with a scenario …

You have been to see your GP and they have requested an MRI scan of your lower back (lumbar spine) and you are awaiting your results …

Do you need to wait for the results of this scan to be forwarded back to your GP before booking an appointment to see us?

Well, in the majority of cases, the answer would be NO … So let me explain this a little further …

In many cases these tests are being requested when their clinical indication is far from robust and are often ordered after a limited, non-expert assessment or to appease pressure from the patient who may request ‘I want a scan!’

So, let’s expand this further …

Often a request for imaging is made after a thorough clinical examination by an expert in musculoskeletal or orthopaedic care … If this assessment is limited or compromised then the request for imaging may well be inappropriate and may not alter your subsequent treatment options ..

This might seem a surprise but literally thousands of inappropriate requests arrive at radiology departments around the UK on a weekly basis !!

The second issue is then the timescales taken to request the imaging, generate an appointment, undergo imaging and your referring clinician to receive your results … Often Weeks !!

Weeks of potentially wasted time and delay in your treatment awaiting results which, in many cases, won’t alter the way your condition is managed ….

All requests for tests need to be made to answer a specific clinical question … And this clinical question needs to be based on thorough examination and robust clinical reasoning ….

So let’s suppose you book an appointment to see us and we feel it is appropriate to wait for  your results prior to comencing treatment then we would … In doing so we are still ahead of the game and often provide interim, expert advise on appropriate management of your condition ranging from pain management, exercise and modifications and also detailed education about your condition. This ensures you have a detailed knowledge of your potential condition and can begin treatment without delay …

If you have any doubts, queries or questions then just drop us an email at admin@active-therapy.com and I’ll be happy to help and provide any advise necessary

I hope you have found this information useful and if you have, others are also likely to, so please share as required !

You can view and book an appointment to see us in clinic or online using link below

or drop us an email at admin@active-therapy.com