Who we are and what we do
The Paediatric MSK Team is made up of qualified physiotherapists as well as support workers who may provide further one to one and group support. We work as part of a team with other healthcare professionals including Paediatricians.
We accept referrals for children and young people aged 0-17 years who are registered with a GP in Islington. A valid referral from a doctor or other health care professional is required to see one of our physiotherapists.
We are based at the Northern Health Centre, but we also run a Gym Rehabilitation Group at Lift Gym for children and young people. Some of our clinicians also do clinics at the Whittington Hospital alongside the consultants.
Our specialist paediatric physiotherapists are experienced in treating children and young people with a range of musculoskeletal and developmental conditions.
Just like adults, young people may experience discomfort in their joints or muscles. Symptoms can occur for a variety of reasons including injury, surgery, sports, changes in activity or growth. Symptoms may be sudden or develop gradually over time.
Some children have gross motor developmental delay and problems with their movement, joints, posture or walking which need to be checked by a physiotherapist.
Our service also includes the Little Feet Drop in sessions for children aged 0-5 with lower limb and walking problems who are registered with a GP in Islington. We work with the Healthy living team to conduct joint assessments for children who are above a healthy living weight and present with MSK issues.
We have an Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy clinic where our specialist practitioners assess and manage children and young people who may need further investigations and onward referrals to specialist tertiary centres.
Common conditions seen by our service include:
- Fractures, muscle strains, ligament sprains, hypermobility spectrum disorder with pain or functional issues, gross motor development delays, certain vestibular conditions, rheumatological conditions.
- Back pain – Scoliosis, postural, growth related, discogenic, costochondritis related pain.
- Neck Pain – Postural, muscle imbalance, whiplash, torticollis, cervicogenic headaches.
- Knee pain – Osgood Schlatter’s condition, traction apophysitis injuries, mechanical knee pain, anterior knee pain.
- Hip pain – post op, screening for hip pathology including DDH, SUFE and Perthes, muscle imbalance.
- Ankle and foot pain – ankle sprains, toe walking, tarsal pain.
- Infant orthopaedic conditions – torticollis, head shape and rotational preference problems, screening for hip dysplasia and fixed talipes, and Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy.
Children diagnosed with hip dysplasia and fixed foot posture problems who need bracing or casting should be referred to Royal Free Paediatrics Team.
Last updated20 Jan 2025