Musculoskeletal (MSK)

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are the leading cause of pain and disability in England and account for one of the highest causes of sickness absence and productivity loss.

In Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, the Musculoskeletal (MSK) service is an integrated service consisting of a team of specialists who can assess a patient where required and identify the most appropriate course of management for their condition. Partners who support the work in the system include Keele University who conduct world-leading research in osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, inflammatory arthritis and osteoporosis and Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

Supporting Resources

SelfBack app: providing support for people with back pain

The SelfBack app is an evidence based self-management app designed to help people with
lower back pain. It is the result of an extensive research project funded by the European Union, launched in 2016 working together with leading scientists and universities in Denmark, Norway, and the UK.

In Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent over 200 people are registered and actively using the app to help them manage their back pain, with data showing improvements in their quality of life since using the app. Referrals to the app can be made through primary care or through community physiotherapy and pain services.

NHS England’s Further Faster Handbook

The Further Faster Handbook is a set of resources developed by NHSE’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme to help accelerate the transformation of patient pathways. Within the handbook two local case studies have been included, ‘Telephone assessment and self-referral’ by Nicky Birch and Sarah Ormond and ‘Use of Self back app to support patients self-manage back pain’ – Kay Stevenson and Steph Gommersall. More information on the MSK GIRFT programme and the improvement framework to reduce community musculoskeletal waits are available on the NHSE website.

Winter advice

As the winter approaches we want to offer accessible online access for all your muscle and joint needs. BeeFree offers supports on staying active, eating well, being creative and returning to work. Keele Health offers guidance knee pain, back pain and other conditions, and Arthritis UK offers arthritis advice, help and community support.

The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2025

The State of Musculoskeletal Health is a collection of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. This includes how many people have these conditions, the number at risk of developing these conditions, the impact of these on a person, on the health system and society, and inequalities that can be found within all the topics.

Decision Making Tools

The below tools are support you to understand your options:

• Making a decision about Carpal Tunnel
• Make a decision about Dupuytren contracture
• Making a decision about hip osteoarthritis
• Making a decision about knee pain
• Making a decision on chronic pain

Case studies

Using Advice and Guidance to reduce the burden on patients and secondary care specialisms