Private tests, scans and treatments with Joint Reaction
Our aim at Joint Reaction is to give you a rapid consultation and a comprehensive and informative diagnosis from a consultant specialising in orthopaedics. Often, your consultant will want tests and imaging (scans, x-rays) completed before any treatment takes place. Not every diagnosis needs the confirmation tests can bring and only 30% of our patients actually need surgery after their tests. Every set of tests your consultant requests will be specific to your condition.
The right tests for your condition – from the right angles
One of the huge advantages of private scans and tests is that your consultant will give precise instructions as to how each should be carried out. This ensures that the radiographers take scans from the best angles for diagnosis, reducing wastage of time and resources.
Often you may have already had imaging done via your GP/healthcare practitioner. This can be useful for your consultation with a Joint Reaction specialist. However, if these images have not covered the suspected problem area, or were done too long ago, or from the wrong angles, then further imaging may still be required.
For physical assessments, a detailed set of instructions will be sent to physiotherapists for both diagnosis and treatment, to ensure you are given treatment and exercises tailored to your specific requirements.
See an orthopaedic consultant within days
To book your initial consultation with the next available Joint Reaction consultant specialising in your condition:
Test types and imaging
Your consultant may order scans to help diagnose your condition location and its severity. They may also add both physical and lab tests that help them investigate other possible causes of your symptoms and/or pain.
Scans
Most orthopaedic scans use technology you are probably already familiar with, including X-ray, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), ultrasound and CT/CAT scan.
- X-rays (aka radiographs) are a quick and straightforward scan for detecting issues with bones. However, an x-ray will not show less obvious bone injuries, injuries to your soft tissue, or inflammation.
- CT scans help your consultant look at issues with hard tissues.
- A high-resolution MRI scan is better for investigating issues involving soft tissues, nerves and blood vessels, such as sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.
- Orthopaedic ultrasound offers a speedy, real-time assessment and diagnosis of sprains, strains, tears and other soft tissue issues. Ultrasound is safe, painless, doesn’t involve any form of radiation and can be done at local clinics as well as hospitals.
Most scans are painless and non-invasive. Your consultant will always explain what scan type/s you’ll be having.
Physical assessments
Other physical tests may be required and may involve other specialists. Again, your consultant will always explain what other assessments you’ll be having.
Biopsies and lab-based tests
In rare cases, your consultant may request a biopsy, which requires a small sample of tissue, fluid or other to be taken and tested in a laboratory. These tests are conducted by specialist medical labs and the results may take a couple of weeks to come through. Lab results timescales are out of our hands, but rest assured, the results will be fully discussed with you in a follow-up appointment as soon as your consultant is available.
Treatments by Joint Reaction
At Joint Reaction, we offer a multi-disciplinary approach between surgery and physiotherapy that ensures you get the right treatment for your condition. Only 30% of people who come to see us actually require surgery; the rest usually require non-surgical/non-invasive treatment that can include physiotherapy and other therapies.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is key to many stages of your treatment with Joint Reaction and especially for those who have surgery. The skill and expertise of our partner physiotherapists ensure that you are well prepared before your surgery, as well as managing your rehabilitation and recovery at the optimal pace for you and your condition. Our consultants work closely with your physiotherapy teams to get you back to normal life as soon as possible with the right support, treatments, exercises and ongoing care.
Surgical treatments
For details of the surgical treatments our specialist consultants offer, see our Treatments page. The information on these pages simply show the range of possible causes of your problem and should not be used to self-diagnose. That’s your consultant’s job!
Injections for orthopaedic conditions
Almost daily, we are contacted by people saying “I just need an xxx injection”. Whilst we can help with this, you would need to see one of our consultants who can then confirm that the injection is the right course of treatment (or not) or is still appropriate for your condition.
For the cost of just one or two injections, you can consult one of our specialists and ensure you are receiving the most appropriate and up-to-date treatment, not just what you’ve ‘always had’. There may be a better way to treat your condition!
To find out more about private medical treatment with Joint Reaction