Musculoskeletal clinics are healthcare facilities that specialize in treating disorders affecting the following structures:
joints
muscles
tendons
ligaments
cartilage
nerves
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Services offered
Musculoskeletal clinics offer adapted treatments to improve patient mobility. They offer comprehensive musculoskeletal assessments, carried out by a physiotherapist, in order to refer people to the appropriate service. All services offered in a musculoskeletal clinic are covered by the health insurance plan of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
Musculoskeletal clinics have an interdisciplinary team composed of professionals such as a physiotherapist, a kinesiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapy technologist, etc. Thus, patient management in a musculoskeletal clinic ensures a rapid recovery, improved mobility, the deployment of strategies to prevent relapses, a reduction in pain and the resumption of daily activities.
Comprehensive assessment
During the first consultation in a musculoskeletal clinic, a comprehensive assessment is carried out by a physiotherapist who will take care of the patient or refer them to another professional in the clinic, depending on the patient’s condition.
During this first consultation, information on pain self-management, self-care tools and a personalized exercise program are given to the patient so that they can take charge of their own health and reduce or resolve the symptoms that affect their activities of daily living.
Accessibility
You cannot make an appointment by contacting a musculoskeletal clinic directly. A physician or specialized nurse practitioner (SNP) refers a patient to a musculoskeletal clinic. Then, the clinic contacts the patient to schedule an appointment.
If specialized treatment or additional examinations are deemed necessary, the physiotherapist contacts the referring physician or specialized nurse practitioner (SNP) to provide their recommendations for further treatment.
To access a musculoskeletal clinic, patients must be eligible for the RAMQ’s health insurance plan.
Musculoskeletal clinics are being implemented in several regions of Québec. The first musculoskeletal clinics are available in the following integrated health and social services centres (CISSSs) or integrated university health and social services centres (CIUSSSs):