To go to an UTC after work?

[whereismyhusband]

I’ve got a knee injury which I’m awaiting a physio follow up and scan on.

in the last week or so it’s worsened, to the point my knee starts to lock and catch upon movement. It’s becoming more and more painful, and the 111 advice seems to be to go to UTC. Is this really the reasonable route though? My follow up for physio is likely to be a few months away yet due to the waiting list, so I don’t know what else to do

Sounds like cartilage. I’ve had both knees operated on but they don’t like to anymore. UTC won’t be able to do anything. Can you go for private physio?

The rule of thumb with UTCs is to attend with things that require treatment that’s non-emergency but needs seeing within 24 hours. They can diagnose and treat things like broken bones and sprains but they can’t fast-track treatment you’ve already been referred for so they’re unlikely to be able to offer anything more useful than you’ve already had and are waiting for if you’ve already been referred for a scan and physio, beyond advising you to take things easy, take painkillers, and try bracing the joint.

Private physio every time IME. They’re not that expensive, a session is often around £40-50 in my area

I’m going through physio. But the new development of it locking can apparently be viewed as a medical emergency apparently if it gets stuck. I’m just in discomfort 24/7 and don’t know where to turn

I’m going through physio. But the new development of it locking can apparently be viewed as a medical emergency apparently if it gets stuck. I’m just in discomfort 24/7 and don’t know where to turn

UTCs are usually manned by nurse practitioners, sometimes paramedic practitioners and/or GPs.

Almost all are sit and wait.

Whether it's worth it for you depends on what you want out of it - if you need help with pain management, that might be possible.

They won't be able to make the physio happen any faster though.

'If it gets stuck' is when your knee is entirely locked and cannot be bent AT ALL.

Is that the case?

I can force it. But I can feel the knee locking, constantly

I understand with the physio and I get that. I’m just exhausted. It stops me sleeping, stops me exercising, I feel like I’m in my 90s at times

Is it currently locked into position where you cannot bend it?

What you're describing does not sound like it's locked.

UTCs are generally open access so it really is up to you - might be wise to assess it based on how busy it is when you arrive.

I'm just warning you that it might not help.

I’ve explained that no, it isn’t, but it’s constantly on the edge of it. I’d rather not hit that point because then I’m fucked.

I'm just pointing out that until it reaches the 'I'm fucked' point it's not an emergency.

I appreciate it’s not an emergency but I don’t know what else to do. I’m in pain 24/7, I’m young, I shouldn’t be feeling this way but there’s nobody else to help! The GP palms it off, the physio is busy for months, I can’t see ortho without seeing the physio, im at a brick wall

You need an MRI. I had very similar and it was a meniscal tear- only seen on an MRI. UTC might prescribe more analgesia, but I doubt they can organise an MRI. I sympathise OP. Even lying absolutely still in bed, I was in agony. Walking up/down stairs and the worry if it was going to give way or get stuck was terrible. It too was young, late 30's, and felt like an invalid.

If the pain is one sided, a uniloader brace can help. My tear got worse and became arthritis and the unloader brace was the only thing that helped. I could walk again, actually do the physio exercises and live again.

The arthritis is what I’m worried about. I’ll be referred for a scan after my next physio, but that’s probably another couple of months away. I just feel so listless

There isn't a great deal they'll be able to do if it's not related to trauma (or likely to be a DVT etc)

Likely be a case of rest, elevate, take ibuprofen when needed. Maybe contact GP to chase physio referral up? Or pay.l for it yourself. It's frustrating.

Rest doesn’t help, ibuprofen doesn’t help, ice, heat, nothing works. It’s so exhausting

I know, I have been in a very similar situation and waited 6 months. Being in pain really is the worst! The only other thing I can think is they may be able to give you better pain relief..

Book a private physio appointment. As explained upthread, it's not too expensive.

Are you able to see somebody privately? It would be much quicker...

I’ll repeat others. Find a good private physio. NHS physio is not worth the wait (nor the effort in even attending)

This sounds like an ongoing problem you are already recieving in put for, albeit slowly.

Based on that I would say the UTC is not likely to be of much help.

You are obviously well within your rights to go down there and see someone, just don't be surprised if they don't do much. Then again some UTCs have amazing physios so you could get lucky and see one.

As suggested by others I would definitely book a private physio appointment.

Agree! They just tell you to download an app and do the physio at home. Really not helpful in everything (or anything yet I've found!).

email your gp, state it’s affecting sleeping etc. they are the ones that’s can help escalate. All the out of hours service can do it give stronger painkillers as you are already waiting