Biomechanics Service
The Biomechanics Department is located at the central biomechanics clinic at Norwich Community Hospital and at St James, Extons Road, Kings Lynn. , together with their respective orthotics laboratories and workshops. There is also a satellite base of the department located at Cromer Hospital on one day per week.
Our Biomechanics Clinicians also have some input into the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) orthopaedic outpatient clinics and there is an existing service level agreement for this provision. The team has established an excellent relationship with the Orthopaedic Consultants and with Rheumatology at NNUH. The orthotics laboratory manufactures insoles and orthotics prescribed by the Biomechanics and Community clinicians and there is also an arrangement with neighbouring PCTs to undertake a limited amount of their insole manufacture.
The clinicians provide highly specialised musculoskeletal assessment and appropriate clinical management of patients with biomechanical problems across Norfolk. They diagnose and treat a wide range of biomechanical problems using clinical observations, video and F Scan analysis. The patients seen in the Biomechanics clinics have complex biomechanical lower limb problems which may have failed to respond to other clinical interventions. They assess the active and passive joint range and quality of motion which relates to overall biomechanical function; assess soft tissue status, testing strength, tone and integrity of muscles, tendons and ligaments. The clinicians initiate agreed care plans with patients including prescription orthotics, muscle rehabilitation programmes, joint manipulations, laser therapy and self-care. They work closely with colleagues in the Diabetes Team and Tissue Viability teams where biomechanical dysfunction can affect the progress of wound healing.
The clinicians run joint clinics with orthotists and foot and ankle Orthopaedic Consultants. They are able to refer directly for hospital shoes, splints and other remedial devices. The clinicians are also involved in podopaediatric assessments. Links with the Musculo-skeletal and Rheumatology Services are well developed and multidisciplinary working is the norm with clinicians referring to orthopaedics, rheumatology and physiotherapy as appropriate. The team is actively involved in the research, design and implementation of improved orthotic devices to improve patient care outcomes.
The clinicians also have a well developed input into educational programmes at the University of East Anglia and regularly contribute to pre and post registration lectures. There are also regular visits and placements of students from other disciplines with the Biomechanics clinicians and the clinicians also run an ongoing rotation and clinical development programme for the Community Podiatrists in order to improve their skills and provide support. In addition the clinicians run clinical rotations for GPs, and Physiotherapists studying for MSc in sports medicine as well as clinical rotations for Specialist Registrars in Rehabilitation Medicine.
Who this Service is for
The Biomechanics Service takes referrals from GPs, Physiotherapists, Community Podiatrists and other Health professionals from the Norfolk PCT. All referrals are triaged and any referrals which appear suitable for the community clinicians to treat are sent out to the community clinics for assessment. In this way the community clinicians maintain their skills in diagnosing and treating biomechanical problems and this prevents the Biomechanics service from becoming overloaded. Referrals which appear of a more complex nature are retained by the Specialist team.
LocationThe service is based at Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich NR2 3TU and at St James, Extons Road, Kings Lynn PE30 5NU How to Find UsSources of ReferralThe Biomechanics Service takes referrals from GPs, Physiotherapists, Community Podiatrists and other Health professionals from the Norfolk PCT Referral Contact Number01603 776630 |
Hours of ServiceThe service operates 8.30 – 5.00 Monday - Friday |