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 NRSA has also shared helpful tips to help you get through the festive period when you have RA.

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

News Stories

Orthopaedic Waiting Lists Significantly Reduced in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

The total number of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent patients waiting to start orthopaedic treatment was 20,876 in August 2022. Since then, the waiting list has reduced to 16,193 as of the end of November 2025. At the end of December 2022, there were 3,008 Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent patients waiting over 52 weeks to start orthopaedic treatment. This number has since reduced to 494 by the end of November 2025.

Improving Appointments with Netcall: A two-way text messaging service

In September 2025, the Physiotherapy MSK Outpatients Department at Queen’s Hospital Burton introduced Netcall, a text messaging service designed to make appointment management easier for patients. Patients now receive a text reminder with a direct link to Patient Hub, allowing them to view appointment details and quickly rebook or cancel if needed – all via text.

The results speak for themselves. Missed appointments (DNAs) have dropped by almost 1.5% thanks to Netcall alone. When combined with targeted follow-up phone calls, overall DNAs have fallen by nearly 9%, bringing the rate to below 5%. In addition, phone calls to the department have decreased significantly, easing pressure on staff.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with both patients and staff delighted with the service. The department continues to refine Netcall to make appointment management even smoother and more efficient.

Case studies

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