When booking your initial consultation with one of the professional consultants at Ross Hall Hospital, our enquiries team will give you all the information you need to choose the right specialist and offer you an appointment at a time that suits you.
Our patients are often referred by a GP or physiotherapist but you do have the option of referring yourself as a self-pay patient. In this instance, our team will provide you with the consultation fee for the consultant you’re booked with. If you’re using your medical insurance, you’ll need to obtain an authorisation code before attending your appointment.
In your initial consultation, your consultant will assess your condition by carrying out a physical examination of the shoulder or elbow, asking you to carry out simple movements. They will also learn about your medical history to fully understand your condition, your concerns and to determine the appropriate next steps.
Depending on their findings, you may require an additional scan or test. Thanks to the comprehensive range of diagnostics facilities available at Ross Hall Hospital, we can conduct a range of further tests within the hospital, under one roof.
If you need an X-ray, it may be possible for you to have this at the same time as your initial consultation, but more complex tests such as an MRI scan will likely be booked for a later date at a time and day that suits you within a couple of weeks.
To put you at ease, our specialists will always keep you informed and explain the details of the tests being carried out.
Routine tests or scans that your consultant may suggest:
- MRI scan - Uses a magnetic field to create a detailed image of the inside of your shoulder and elbow, utilised if there is a more structural issue relating to the soft tissue of your shoulder or elbow.
- CT scan - Often referred to as CAT Scans, X-rays are used to produce detailed images of your internal structures; commonly used to diagnose shoulder arthritis.
Once these tests have been completed, you will have a follow-up consultation to discuss the results and the best course of action going forward.
If surgery is needed, you will be able to agree with your consultant on a suitable date and time for your procedure. Patients receiving shoulder or elbow surgery will usually see a physiotherapist for 6-8 outpatient sessions to go through a rehabilitation and recovery programme.
Whether the next step is further testing, surgery, physiotherapy or referral to another specialist within the hospital, we’ll provide clarity and answer any questions you might have.