Orthopaedics

Orthopaedics is the medical speciality concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves).

The Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma is based on Level 6 (wards 6A and B, pre-operative assessment clinic, theatre admission lounge) and in Trauma and Orthopaedic Outpatients on level 3 close to the main entrance.

There are clinics led by consultants, specialist nurses and physiotherapists running every week day, and several times per month in the surrounding hospitals, offering a full range of services for adults and children.

We aim to provide an efficient, friendly and high-quality service for all our patients, offering an enhanced recovery programme after hip and knee replacement surgery.

Orthopaedic clinics

Orthopaedic clinics are held mainly at Yeovil District Hospital, with some additional sessions at hospitals in Crewkerne, Sherborne, South Petherton and Wincanton. These clinics are usually for patients who have been referred by their GP with a musculo-skeletal problem that requires a specialist opinion or treatment.

The orthopaedic and trauma outpatient department is situated on Level 3 close to the main hospital entrance. We aim to provide an efficient, friendly and high-quality service, keeping you informed about your treatment and involving you in any decisions that are made. Information leaflets are available for many of the conditions seen in the department and we encourage patients to ask questions in order to understand their treatment fully.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please telephone 01935 384319 as soon as possible. This will allow us to change your appointment and offer your original slot to another patient.

Please remember to bring the following, if appropriate:

• your appointment letter or card
• a list of all medications that you are taking (including non-prescription)
• information to update your personal details, such as a change in your GP
• proof of entitlement to free prescriptions or travel costs
• a small amount of money if you wish to purchase a drink or a snack.

As we have limited waiting space, please restrict the number of relatives/carers who accompany you. There may be more than one clinic running at the same time. Patients are seen in order of appointment time, not time of arrival. One of the consultants will have overall responsibility for your care, but at your appointment you may be seen by another member of the medical team. Some clinics are run by specialist nurses and physiotherapists.

Please find the supporting orthopaedic patient information below:

Virtual Fracture Clinic

The Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) will ensure that you get the best management for your injury. All fractures, other than those requiring immediate surgery, will be reviewed by an Orthopaedic Consultant in a virtual fracture clinic, as the clinic is virtual you do not need to attend this review. An experienced Nurse will then contact you by telephone to discuss treatment options. These options include discharge with information, advice and a point of contact, referral to an Orthopaedic Fracture Clinic or referral to a specialist Orthopaedic clinic.

Supporting patient information can be found below:

Children's buckle fracture information

Children's collar bone fracture information

Metacarpal hand fracture information

Metatarsal foot fracture information

Radial head (elbow) fracture information

We also have the supporting information above in Polish as a PDF dwonload. You can access these leaflets below.

VFC contact:

You can contact the Virtual Fracture Clinic on:

Telephone: 07584 580655
Email: [email protected]

Fracture clinics

Fracture clinics are always held at Yeovil District Hospital. Patients seen in this clinic will usually have sustained an injury and most will have been seen by the Accident and Emergency Department. An appointment will then have been made to attend a fracture clinic for specialist advice and ongoing care.

Due to the unpredictable nature of injuries, the fracture clinics can be very busy. You should allow at least one to two hours for each clinic attendance (which may include consultations, x-rays, wound dressings, plaster casts and blood tests). If you need painkillers, you should bring them with you and take them as normal to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.

Plaster Room

Our plaster room is staffed by an experienced team of orthopaedic technicians and nurses. We provide a service for patients of all ages with fractures and orthopaedic conditions and give advice and information during the treatment process.

Working closely with consultants and other members of the multi-disciplinary team, we perform up-to-date casting and bracing techniques using a variety of traditional and modern materials.

We also offer:

• paediatric orthopaedic and hip-screening clinic
• joint replacement follow-up clinic
• joint injection clinic

Amplitude: Patient outcomes portal

Consultants with this speciality