Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists can design treatment regimens that focus on improving joint health, flexibility and muscle strength, while minimising the risk of bleeding episodes.

These may involve hands-on treatment and well as targeted exercises.

Physiotherapy aims to enhance range of motion, joint stability and proprioception, aiding in maintaining and improving joint and muscle function.

We can provide treatment before (prehabilitation) and after surgery. We also follow up all acute bleeds and help regain your pre-bleed function.

At the centre we have a designated gym with weights, rowing machine and bike for patients' rehabilitation. The bike is also adaptable for use with any amount of knee movement.

Additionally, physiotherapy interventions may include pain management techniques, gait training, hydrotherapy, and functional mobility exercises, enabling individuals with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders to lead more active, independent lives while reducing the impact of the condition on their daily activities.

At OHTC we provide support, guidance and individualised care to help optimise patients' physical wellbeing. We can refer you for further diagnostic investigations if necessary.

Facilities

Physiotherapy can be delivered locally to you via your GP or at the Oxford Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre

Haemophilia Centre Gym

We have a gym within the centre, with space to exercise and specific gym equipment to target cardiovascular fitness, strength training, balance and flexibility.

We also run online exercise classes focused on balance, strength and flexibility which are suitable for all abilities.

Please bring shorts and a T-shirt to change into to for your assessment.

Hydrotherapy pool

The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre has a pool patients can access with their physiotherapist, if indicated as part of their physiotherapy treatment. The 10 by four metre pool has a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius and varies in depth from 1 to 1.3 metres. It has step and hoist access.

How to access Physiotherapy

Please discuss physiotherapy at your clinic appointment - your doctor or nurse can refer you, and we will contact you to arrange a review, initially by telephone.

We will provide further treatment either virtually or face to face. If treatment is easier closer to home, your GP can organise this.

If you do not have a routine clinic appointment and would like a physiotherapy review, please contact OHTC and ask to speak to the Physiotherapist.

If we are unable to speak when you call, we will contact you to arrange a review.

Physiotherapy team

Steph Taylor

Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Haemophilia and Allied Bleeding Disorders

Treasurer of the UK Haemophilia Chartered Physiotherapy Association

Masters in Research, Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy, Chartered Physiotherapist SRP, MCSP

Stephanie qualified in 1992 from Birmingham University and has worked as a physiotherapist within the NHS since then, specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy since 1995.

She has worked in haemophilia and allied bleeding disorders since 2009 and completed a Master's in clinical and health research at Southampton University 2019.

Her research interests are in physical activity and how to enable people with haemophilia be more active. She is also interested in how we can support people with haemophilia to age well, with their increasing life expectancy.

Steph is at OHTC Monday to Thursday.

Daryl Cole

Specialist Physiotherapist

BSc Sport and Exercise Science, MSc Physiotherapy, Chartered Physiotherapist, MCSP

Daryl qualified in 2017 from St George's University of London, and has specialised in musculoskeletal physiotherapy since 2018.

He has been working with haemophilia and allied bleeding disorders since 2022 alongside his work as a musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapist at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

Daryl is at OHTC on Wednesday morning in the adult clinic.

Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS)

If you have severe or moderate haemophilia, your Physiotherapist complete an examination of your joints using the Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) during your clinic review.

This is an internationally-used assessment of elbow, knee and ankle joints, which helps us to track individual joint health over time.

These joints are typically the ones which can bleed in people with haemophilia. Joint bleeds can cause changes within the joint, which can lead to joint pain, stiffness and weakness.

Each joint receives a numeric score which can be compared to itself over the years. The individual joint scores are added together and are combined with a score of your general function for an overall total.

Scores can also be used in research to help us identify where treatment needs to be improved.

HJHS assessment

We aim to perform the assessment once a year (April to end of March) and incorporate it within your clinic visit. If you do not see a physiotherapist at your clinic appointment, we may contact you to arrange an assessment.

We normally take you to the gym as this allows for more time and space, or you may stay in the clinic room.

The assessment takes 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your individual joint and whether you have any joint changes from previous bleeds.

For elbows please wear a short sleeve top and for knees and ankles ideally shorts and bare feet. You may take off your trousers (we can provide a towel for your modesty) or bring a pair of shorts with you.

Contact us

If you have any questions about what physiotherapy can offer you, or your physiotherapy treatment, please contact us.