Foot and Ankle

FAST TRACK ACUTE FOOT AND ANKLE INJURY SERVICE

The only hospital based service in the South West region designed specifically and solely to treat patients with acute ankle injuries.

Ankle injuries are very common in sportsmen and women. It has been calculated that 5600 such injuries occur each day in the UK alone.

As a team, managing a large number of severe ankle injuries we are committed to providing early and rapid treatment which leads to a better outcome and earlier return to work and sport. This is supported by strong evidence in a study by orthopaedic surgeons Kannus and Renstrom in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ACUTE FOOT AND ANKLE INJURY SERVICE?

Anyone over 16 years with an ankle injury within the last 48 hours.

INCLUDING:
  • Recent ankle sprain
  • Ankle or foot bruising
  • Difficulty weight bearing

HOW DOES THE SERVICE WORK?

  • Self referral or GP letter*
  • Initial consultation with an experienced physiotherapist (Package A)
  • Immediate physiotherapy treatment
  • Provision of equipment available e.g. crutches, cold pack, braces
  • Direct link to specialist Foot and Ankle Consultant if required with X rays (Package B)
  • Follow-up physiotherapy
  • Sports rehabilitation programme

* letter may be required if you have private medical insurance.

EXTRA FACILITIES AVAILABLE:

  • On site X-ray with quick reporting
  • Rapid referral to on-site Ultrasound and MRI
  • Surgery if required
  • Independent assessment and referral for insoles/orthotic devices

FIXED PRICE PACKAGES:

Package A £70

Initial physiotherapy consultation (up to 30 minutes) to start immediate treatment and offer advice. Equipment will be available at this time such as crutches, braces, and pneumatic walking boots and offered as required. Equipment costs are exclusive of this package. A follow up physiotherapy appointment will be arranged within 48 hours to enable comprehensive assessment and to develop and instigate a treatment plan. The physiotherapist will write a report and send a letter to your GP as appropriate.

Package B £300

nitial physiotherapy assessment and follow up with the physiotherapist as package A, but also includes x-rays (2 views) of the ankle followed by a 30 minute consultation with a specialist Consultant Foot and Ankle orthopaedic surgeon. An appropriate treatment plan will then be instigated. The Consultant will write a report and send a letter to your GP as appropriate.

The choice of the A/B package is up to the patient but in the incidence of severe injury (e.g. ruptured ligaments or suspected fracture) package B will be recommended by the physiotherapist.

Any further treatment required will be charged at the standard prevailing published rates. Due to the cost of Package B you may wish to make a claim through your insurance company. It is likely that your GP will need to send a referral letter. The New Victoria Hospital is recognised by all major insurance companies and is in the PPP and BUPA networks. If you are able to make a claim the hospital will deal directly with your insurance company for you.

SUMMARY:
  • Self or GP referral
  • Early treatment with experienced physios
  • Fast track access to a specialist opinion
  • Consultant radiologist

Package A:

  • Initial Physiotherapy assessment
  • Follow-up treatment - 1 session
  • GP letter

Package B:

  • Initial Physiotherapy assessment
  • Follow-up treatment - 1 session
  • X-rays
  • Foot & Ankle Consultant opinion
  • GP Letter

THE ACUTE FOOT AND ANKLE INJURY TEAM

A team of experienced Chartered Physiotherapists with in-depth knowledge and skills well equipped to treat all ankle injuries. We have at least four years experience with full equipment and gym facilities available on site enabling us to provide a clear individually tailored rehabilitation plan for all sporting injuries including football, basketball, athletics, and ballet or for accidental injuries like falling of the kerb!

Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon with GMC certification of higher specialist training in orthopaedic surgery.

Consultant Radiologists with a special interest in musculoskeletal disorders are available for advice and rapid reporting on X-ray films, MRI and ultrasound investigations.

HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

Telephone New Victoria Hospital Physiotherapy Department on 020 8949 9040

Appointments available:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8am -11am.

Please note: This is not a formal Accident and Emergency Department and therefore in certain circumstances of severe or multiple injuries requiring emergency surgery we may advise attendance at a local NHS Accident and Emergency Department.