Hip & Knee

If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe hip or knee osteoarthritis, your family doctor or nurse practitioner can refer you to the MSK CIAC Hip and Knee Program using the standardized MSK CIAC Hip and Knee Referral Form. This document opens in a PDF.

You will be seen by an Advanced Practice Provider (Physiotherapist) with specialized training in hip and knee osteoarthritis.

The Advanced Practice Provider will:

• Review your medical history.
• Ask you questions about your health.
• Ask you to complete some tests to see how well you can move your hip or knee and what causes your pain.
• Discuss treatment options and come up with a plan to help you.

If you need hip or knee joint replacement surgery, you will be offered a referral to an orthopedic surgeon and a consultation appointment will be made for you. You will be given the option of choosing the first available surgeon with a shorter wait time, or a surgeon or hospital of your choice.

Patients need to bring their x-ray disc or x-ray access code of their affected joint that has been taken within the last 6 months.

• If your x-ray was taken at a hospital in Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara, Haldimand Norfolk, Brant or Burlington, you do not need to bring an x-ray disc or access code.
• If your x-ray was taken at a community x-ray clinic, you need to bring the x-ray disc or x-ray access code with you or your appointment will be rescheduled. The MSK CIAC team needs to see your x-ray to be able to provide you with the right diagnosis and a care plan.

Patients must also bring:

• A current medication list.
• A completed Patient Medical History Form.
• A completed Oxford Score.
• A valid healthcard.

Download a copy of the Patient Medical History Form.  This document opens in a PDF.

Download a copy of the Oxford Hip Score.  This document opens in a PDF.

Download a copy of the Oxford Knee Score.  This document opens in a PDF.

How long is the assessment?

Your family doctor or nurse practitioner will be sent a report about your assessment results. They will receive your treatment recommendations, and next steps.

If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please call the assessment site where your appointment is scheduled at least 2 business days before your scheduled appointment.

Assessments take place in MSK CIAC Hip and Knee Assessment Centres. The MSK CIAC Hip and Knee Program has four Assessment Centres located in hospitals in Hamilton, Brantford, Burlington and Niagara Falls. You will be booked for an assessment at the location closest to your home, or you may choose as preferred location, or the location with the first available appointment at any of the locations within the region.