Expert care for injuries, joint pain and muscle problems, led personally by Consultant Dr Phil Clelland.
Pain in a knee, shoulder, back or foot can stop you working, sleeping or staying active. It deserves a clear diagnosis and a plan, not months on a waiting list.
Every appointment is with Dr Phil Clelland, a Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine who also holds an NHS consultant post at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. He looks after athletes at the highest level of sport, and brings the same approach to everyone he sees, whatever their age, level or goals.
Dr Clelland uses musculoskeletal ultrasound during your appointment to see what is happening beneath the skin. Where a joint injection is the right treatment, he can guide it into the exact spot using the same scan.
You can book our sports injury clinic directly, without a GP referral.
Book an initial consultation with Dr Phil Clelland Call us on 01829 863 331Start with where it hurts. Dr Clelland assesses and treats problems affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones across the whole body.
Knee pain from a twisting injury, a torn meniscus or ligament, patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) or arthritis. Dr Clelland can examine the knee, scan it during your appointment and explain what is causing the pain.
Shoulder pain and stiffness, including frozen shoulder, shoulder impingement and rotator cuff problems. These often affect sleep and everyday tasks like dressing or reaching up. An ultrasound scan helps show which structure is involved.
Tennis and golfer's elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, Dupuytren's contracture and ganglion cysts. Many can be diagnosed and treated in clinic. If you need surgery, Dr Clelland can refer you to our orthopaedic team.
Low back pain, sciatica and neck pain, whether it came on suddenly or has built up over time. Dr Clelland will find the likely cause and agree a plan to get you moving again.
Pain at the hip or in the groin, including hip bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy and early arthritis. Groin pain is common in sports involving kicking, twisting and changing direction.
Ankle sprains and ligament injuries, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), Achilles tendon problems, bunions and big toe arthritis. Our consultant podiatrist also treats foot problems and carries out foot procedures.
Hamstring and calf strains, muscle tears, ligament sprains and overuse injuries, whether you compete or simply want to keep running, cycling or getting to the gym.
Osteoarthritis in any joint, and swollen, stiff joints that may point to an inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. Dr Clelland can investigate and, where needed, refer you to one of our consultant rheumatologists.
Most aches and strains settle on their own within a few weeks. It is worth getting a specialist opinion if your pain:
You do not have to put up with pain that is limiting your life. A clear diagnosis is the first step to the right treatment, and often to getting back to what you enjoy sooner.
From your first conversation with Dr Clelland to a clear plan, here’s what to expect.
Where it hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and how it is affecting your day-to-day life.
Your work, sport and exercise, and what you want to get back to, whether that is a marathon or a pain-free walk with the dog.
Previous injuries, treatments, scans, medications and any other health conditions.
A hands-on examination of the painful area, checking movement, strength and stability.
Where it will help the diagnosis, Dr Clelland scans the area during your appointment, so you can see on screen what is happening.
A clear explanation of what is causing your pain and what can be done, from exercises and rehabilitation to an injection or further tests. Nothing goes ahead without your agreement.
Depending on your diagnosis, Dr Clelland may recommend one or more of the following.
Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound: An ultrasound scan of the painful muscle, tendon, ligament or joint, carried out by Dr Clelland during your consultation. It is painless, uses no radiation, and lets him see the area moving in real time, which helps pinpoint the cause of your pain. More about ultrasounds ›
Ultrasound-guided injections: If an injection is likely to help, Dr Clelland uses ultrasound to guide the needle to the exact spot, rather than relying on surface landmarks alone. Cortisone (steroid) and other injections can ease pain and inflammation in joints, tendons and bursae, and are often used for frozen shoulder, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendon problems. More about joint injections ›
Exercise and rehabilitation plans: An injection or diagnosis is usually the start, not the end. Dr Clelland will explain what you can do to recover and stay active, and can recommend physiotherapy where it will help.
Further scans and referrals: If you need an MRI, X-ray or blood tests, Dr Clelland will explain why and arrange the next step. If surgery or specialist rheumatology care is the better route, he can refer you to our orthopaedic surgeon or consultant rheumatologists here at Enigma, so you are not left to find your own way.
Book an initial consultation with Dr Phil Clelland Call us on 01829 863 331
Every MSK and sports medicine appointment at Enigma Healthcare is with Dr Clelland, from your first consultation through to any scan, injection or follow-up.
Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine
GMC 6052083
Dr Clelland is a Consultant in Musculoskeletal Medicine at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry, one of the UK’s specialist orthopaedic hospitals. In elite sport, he is lead doctor for Manchester City Women’s Football Club, a multisport physician for the English Institute of Sport, and team doctor for EF Pro Cycling.
Alongside his sport and musculoskeletal training, he is a qualified GP and has completed postgraduate training in internal medicine. He was recognised for his performance in the Sport & Exercise Medicine consultant exams, and gained a distinction in his Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound.
Our MSK clinic is for non-emergency assessment. Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have back pain with any of the following:
These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, which needs emergency treatment.
Also go to A&E if you think you have broken a bone, if a joint is suddenly hot, red and swollen and you feel unwell, or if an injury has left a limb misshapen or unable to bear weight.
For urgent advice that is not an emergency, contact NHS 111.
MSK stands for musculoskeletal. It covers problems affecting your muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones, such as knee pain, back pain, frozen shoulder, sports injuries and arthritis.
A sport and exercise medicine consultant is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems without surgery, and in helping people stay active. Dr Clelland sees people of all ages and activity levels.
No. You can book directly with Dr Clelland. If you have previous scan results or letters, bring them along. If you are using health insurance, your insurer may ask for a GP referral, so check with them first.
A physiotherapist is a good first step for many aches and strains. Seeing an MSK doctor is worthwhile if your pain hasn’t improved with physio, if the diagnosis is unclear, or if you may need a scan or injection. Dr Clelland can recommend physiotherapy as part of your plan.
See Dr Clelland for sports injuries, and for joint, muscle or tendon pain you’d like diagnosed and treated without surgery. An orthopaedic surgeon is the right choice if you’ve been told you may need an operation. A rheumatologist specialises in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout. If you’re not sure, send us your question and we’ll point you to the right specialist.
An MSK ultrasound scan uses sound waves to show muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints on screen. It is painless and uses no radiation. Dr Clelland carries out the scan himself during your appointment, so your diagnosis and scan happen in the same visit.
Not always. An injection can reduce pain and inflammation, which often makes it easier to do the exercises that help long-term recovery. Dr Clelland will explain what results are realistic for your condition before anything goes ahead.
No. Our sports injury clinic is for anyone with a muscle, joint, tendon or ligament problem, however it happened. Dr Clelland is lead doctor for Manchester City Women’s Football Club and works with the English Institute of Sport, and he brings the same expertise to people who run, cycle, garden or simply want to move without pain.
Yes. We accept private health insurance through major insurers, including AXA, Bupa and Vitality. Check with your insurer that your policy covers an outpatient consultation with Dr Clelland.
Not sure whether Dr Clelland is the right person to see, or which appointment you need?
Send us your question and a member of our team will get back to you personally.
Prefer to talk straight away? Call us on 01829 863 331
