Joint manipulation treatment at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

Joint pain can be a debilitating condition, particularly in the hips, knees and ankles. It can prevent us from staying active and this, in turn, can lead to wider health problems. Because joints are complex regions of the body it’s often hard to diagnose a specific cause for the pain, but some common causes are:

• muscle spasm or contraction
• slight misalignment in the joint
• trapped tissue
• tight joint capsule.

Manipulation is a non-invasive, simple treatment that can help ease pain, improve range of movement and get you back to more active, healthy lifestyle.

We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you'll be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

We understand that having any medical procedure can be a time of worry and anxiety, even if it’s a relatively straightforward one like this. Our experienced and caring medical staff will be there for you every step of the way.

You will be put under a general anaesthetic for joint manipulation, so you will be asleep throughout and this will make your muscles more relaxed – aiding the procedure. Your doctor will then use his or her hands to move the joint, taking it to its full capacity in every direction.

The treatment usually takes about 20 minutes.

After this, you will be taken to your room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.

A physiotherapist will visit you while you’re with us and show you some exercises to do that will help speed up your recovery. 

Pain relief

Your joint will feel sore after the procedure so we will give you pain relief medication while you’re with us and to take home with you.

We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you've left hospital, up to 14 days. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.

Recovery time

Once home, it’s sensible to take it easy for the first day. You may find you have some discomfort in the joint for a couple of days, but a successful manipulation should ultimately give you more movement than you had before.

It’s crucial that you continue with the exercises recommended by your physiotherapist, as these will help you to maintain movement in the joint.

How your loved ones can help

Once you’re ready to be discharged, you’ll need to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home because you won’t be able to drive. You should also ask them to help with shopping and cleaning for a few weeks. 

Looking after you

We’re with you every step of the way through your recovery, even after you’ve left hospital.

After your treatment we will provide you with the appropriate medication, physiotherapy exercises, advice on what you should and shouldn't do, and any other follow-up support you need. Typically your consultant will want to see you after your treatment to see how you’re doing. You might also be seen by a physiotherapist. A follow up appointment will be made for you before you leave the hospital.

On rare occasions, complications following treatment can occur. If you experience the pain in your joint worsening during the few days after your procedure or if you experience any swelling or numbness – don’t hesitate to call us. We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they could apply to you.

If you have any questions or concerns we’re ready to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.