Musculoskeletal pain
Persistent pain in muscles, tendons, ligaments or joints outside the spine.
About this condition
Musculoskeletal pain covers persistent problems in muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints: shoulder pain, tendinopathy, hip and knee pain, repetitive strain and pain following injury or surgery. It is one of the leading causes of time off work in the UK and often becomes long term when the affected area is used less and gradually loses strength.
Effective care is usually active rather than passive. Loading the tissue correctly, rebuilding strength and restoring confidence in movement do more over time than rest or repeated injections. A specialist assessment looks at what has been diagnosed, what rehabilitation has been tried and how far the pain still limits ordinary activity.
Treatments people usually try first
These are the treatments commonly offered in the UK for this condition. A specialist doctor will want to know which of them you have tried, and what happened.
- Anti inflammatory medicines, topical or oral
- Physiotherapy with progressive loading and strength work
- Corticosteroid or other guided injections
- Occupational health input and workplace adjustments
- Manual therapy and structured rehabilitation programmes
- Orthopaedic surgical assessment where indicated
Could medical cannabis be appropriate?
People with this condition sometimes ask whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for them. That is a question for a specialist doctor, who will look at your diagnosis, your history and everything you have already tried before saying anything either way.
Medical cannabis is an unlicensed prescription only medicine in the UK. It is considered only where a diagnosed condition has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, and it is never a first step. We cannot tell you in advance what might be prescribed, and UK law does not allow us to describe or advertise any medicine on this website.
What we can do is assess you properly and be honest with you. If a specialist doctor does not think this route is right for you, they will say so, and they will explain why.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Questions about musculoskeletal pain
Chronic pain
Other conditions in this category
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