:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/csMqCAA4srLFfpRYlnsjtkaBea4CTpv5.jpg)
Which specialist treats supraspinatus tendinopathySupraspinatus tendinopathy is not a single diagnosis; the term covers three distinct conditions—tendinitis, tendinosis, and partial tears—each requiring different treatment, managed sequentially by physiotherapists and then specialists depending on rehabilitation progress.Supraspinatus tendinopathy is not a single diagnosis; the term covers three distinct conditions—tendinitis, tendinosis, and partial tears—each requiring different treatment, managed sequentially by physiotherapists and then specialists depending on rehabilitation progress.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/tEThf67SD8gme2KMHBwFLJaRfHOaYK7I.jpg)
Who to see first for back pain and sciaticaUp to 90% of sciatica cases resolve without surgery within weeks to months, and the evidence points to starting with physiotherapy, not a pain consultant or surgeon.Up to 90% of sciatica cases resolve without surgery within weeks to months, and the evidence points to starting with physiotherapy, not a pain consultant or surgeon.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/KrFVoOQZ12jhh6MLUrwKAQtNJok3RQHr.jpg)
Knee Cartilage Repair and PreservationArticular cartilage lacks blood vessels, so when damaged it forms fibrocartilage—a mechanically inferior scar tissue that typically deteriorates within two to three years. This biological constraint shapes every treatment option, from temporary symptom relief to procedures attempting true cartilage regeneration.Articular cartilage lacks blood vessels, so when damaged it forms fibrocartilage—a mechanically inferior scar tissue that typically deteriorates within two to three years. This biological constraint shapes every treatment option, from temporary symptom relief to procedures attempting true cartilage regeneration.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/NVBxTwqrhFf5MtzHXwBTNTJi8qrvNNkp.jpg)
Physiotherapist or surgeon first for a meniscus tearFor most meniscus tears, physiotherapy is the evidence-supported first step; surgery is reserved for locked knees, persistent instability, or severe acute injuries that fail to settle.For most meniscus tears, physiotherapy is the evidence-supported first step; surgery is reserved for locked knees, persistent instability, or severe acute injuries that fail to settle.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/bCqwMWPmgNacEX7SSPYk3Y0vy76ZUxHW.jpg)
Ultrasound guidance in ChondroFiller hip injectionUltrasound-guided hip injection achieves 89% placement accuracy versus 58% for landmark guidance — a gap that determines whether ChondroFiller, a collagen scaffold that works only when positioned within a focal cartilage defect, succeeds or the material is simply resorbed.Ultrasound-guided hip injection achieves 89% placement accuracy versus 58% for landmark guidance — a gap that determines whether ChondroFiller, a collagen scaffold that works only when positioned within a focal cartilage defect, succeeds or the material is simply resorbed.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/5yqtnO9k0Fj59GMzO0kP7LWXrqltF5su.jpg)
When knee pain needs an orthopaedic assessmentMost knee pain settles with rest and physiotherapy; the threshold for orthopaedic assessment is persistent dysfunction despite weeks of conservative care, or acute structural changes—and assessment maps options rather than commits to surgery.Most knee pain settles with rest and physiotherapy; the threshold for orthopaedic assessment is persistent dysfunction despite weeks of conservative care, or acute structural changes—and assessment maps options rather than commits to surgery.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/D2kqxeavVUcZNASzOXi8rxUp6cWpjo8e.jpg)
High tibial osteotomy as a first step in knee preservationHigh tibial osteotomy repositions the tibia to shift weight-bearing from damaged inner knee cartilage to the healthier outer compartment. For younger, active patients, the procedure preserves the natural joint and potentially extends its working life by a decade or more.High tibial osteotomy repositions the tibia to shift weight-bearing from damaged inner knee cartilage to the healthier outer compartment. For younger, active patients, the procedure preserves the natural joint and potentially extends its working life by a decade or more.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/sVhm09ypYeQ9Qy5X03xJhmuglsmz6RAg.jpg)
When physiotherapy isn't enough for hip osteoarthritisHip osteoarthritis referral requires simultaneous criteria: Oxford Hip Score below 20, X-ray confirmation of moderate or severe OA, BMI optimisation, and inadequate response to conservative management—not automatic progression based on symptoms or time alone.Hip osteoarthritis referral requires simultaneous criteria: Oxford Hip Score below 20, X-ray confirmation of moderate or severe OA, BMI optimisation, and inadequate response to conservative management—not automatic progression based on symptoms or time alone.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/K0tLM5AwmOmwkPaB2Har1ULtTxYwLkJY.jpg)
ChondroFiller vs Liquid Cartilage for focal cartilage defectsAn injectable collagen scaffold sets into a gel at body temperature and recruits the body's own progenitor cells to repair cartilage over 12–24 months. ChondroFiller is the device name; Liquid Cartilage denotes the same scaffold combined with the patient's own mesenchymal cells in a single appointment.An injectable collagen scaffold sets into a gel at body temperature and recruits the body's own progenitor cells to repair cartilage over 12–24 months. ChondroFiller is the device name; Liquid Cartilage denotes the same scaffold combined with the patient's own mesenchymal cells in a single appointment.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/NGFDFqw1DslJZxXKVlgDs8fpuKp14lQb.jpg)
Which specialist treats supraspinatus tendinopathySupraspinatus tendinopathy follows a treatment pathway where specialist selection depends on how long symptoms have persisted and whether the tendon is structurally intact: specialist MSK physiotherapy is the first contact for most patients, surgery becomes relevant only when conservative care fails or imaging reveals substantial structural damage.Supraspinatus tendinopathy follows a treatment pathway where specialist selection depends on how long symptoms have persisted and whether the tendon is structurally intact: specialist MSK physiotherapy is the first contact for most patients, surgery becomes relevant only when conservative care fails or imaging reveals substantial structural damage.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/Xc2EYraU36Mqzzl7yRSHjrrwbnM4pNVP.jpg)
ChondroFiller™ durability compared with ArthrosamidChondroFiller™ recruits the patient's own progenitor cells to build new cartilage tissue within a collagen scaffold. Three-year published follow-up shows mean IKDC scores of 80 — a 32.4-point improvement from baseline — with durability reported to extend beyond five years.ChondroFiller™ recruits the patient's own progenitor cells to build new cartilage tissue within a collagen scaffold. Three-year published follow-up shows mean IKDC scores of 80 — a 32.4-point improvement from baseline — with durability reported to extend beyond five years.
:format(webp)/cdn.mskdoctors.com/storage/2026/8/rvMqoN4JoeMkc33QwYKFHy0vXVb8fC3o.jpg)
Which specialist treats sciaticaAdults with uncomplicated sciatica in many NHS areas can self-refer directly to musculoskeletal physiotherapy without a GP appointment; most cases are diagnosed through clinical examination, not imaging.Adults with uncomplicated sciatica in many NHS areas can self-refer directly to musculoskeletal physiotherapy without a GP appointment; most cases are diagnosed through clinical examination, not imaging.
