Movement and stiffness
Describe which movements feel difficult and whether stiffness changes during the day.
When joint pain or stiffness affects your routine, start with understanding what is happening. Discuss your symptoms, movement and goals, then explore the appropriate next step with a clinician.
Joint pain may develop after an injury, build gradually or keep returning. It can also relate to a medical condition. Your clinician considers the history and symptoms, including whether advice from another healthcare professional is needed.
Describe which movements feel difficult and whether stiffness changes during the day.
Discuss how the problem affects work, household tasks, exercise or sport.
Explain when it began, whether more than one area is affected and any changes in symptoms or swelling.
The assessment is guided by your circumstances, rather than treating all joint pain as the same issue.
Talk through symptoms, relevant injuries or conditions, current medicines and previous treatment.
Your clinician examines movement and function, with other checks selected according to the symptoms and findings.
Discuss the findings, appropriate care options, review points or whether further medical assessment is needed.
Assessment and rehabilitation for knee symptoms affecting daily activity, exercise or sport.
Explore knee care →Learn about the clinic’s assessment approach and relevant medical guidance for neck symptoms.
Explore neck care →Discuss an injury interrupting training or a return to your chosen activity.
Explore sports injury care →Where appropriate, your plan may include movement advice, exercise rehabilitation or hands-on treatment. The options depend on the assessment, your preferences and response.
Explore exercise rehabilitation →Discuss what each approach aims to address and the alternatives available.
Agree what you want to work towards and how it relates to daily life or activity.
Discuss progress, changing symptoms and when the plan needs reconsidering.
No. Describe the problem and how it affects you. The clinician can assess your needs and discuss whether the clinic or another service is the appropriate next step.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if a painful joint is hot and swollen, or you feel unwell or feverish. Go to A&E or call 999 for very bad joint pain after injury, inability to walk or bear weight, a joint out of place, or tingling or loss of feeling around it after injury. Do not wait for a routine appointment. Read NHS joint pain guidance →
Discuss this with your GP, particularly if symptoms persist, recur, affect sleep or everyday activity, or joints stay stiff for more than 30 minutes after waking. Do not assume it is a sports injury.
Contact the clinic to discuss your condition and any medical guidance or restrictions. Bring relevant reports so the clinician can consider whether the clinic can support your needs.
Not every joint problem needs imaging. The assessment can help identify whether further medical advice may be appropriate; a scan is not automatically included.
Wear clothing that allows movement and access to the affected area. Bring relevant reports, medicines information and details of previous treatment.
The Recovery Room is at Romsey Golf Club, Romsey Road, Southampton, SO16 0XW. View the online appointment options, call 07748 483639, or find directions.
Discuss your symptoms and goals with the team at our Southampton clinic.
Book a joint assessment →Prefer to speak first? Call 07748 483639
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