Contact number: 020 7806 4060
Why choose a hospital-based sports injury clinic?
Many sports injuries can be assessed and managed without surgery, and our team always favours the least invasive effective treatment. However, having a sports injury clinic within a full hospital offers genuine advantages when an injury is more complex:
- Rapid on-site imaging: MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray are all available in-house, so diagnosis is not delayed by external referrals
- Consultant-led care: you are seen by consultant orthopaedic surgeons and sport and exercise medicine specialists, not only by therapists
- A complete pathway: if your injury requires injections, surgery or inpatient care, this can be arranged within the same hospital without the need for onward referral
- Integrated rehabilitation: our physiotherapists work alongside the consultants who diagnosed you, ensuring a joined-up recovery plan
Sports Injuries and Conditions We Treat
Our London Sports Injury Clinic offers specialist-led care for a broad range of musculoskeletal injuries and movement-related conditions. Whether you’re managing an acute injury, struggling with ongoing pain, or preparing to return to activity after surgery, our consultants and physiotherapists provide personalised treatment to help you recover safely and confidently.
Conditions we regularly treat include:
- Muscle strains and soft tissue injuries
- Ligament sprains and joint instability
- Tendon disorders (e.g. Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff tendinopathy)
- Meniscal tears and cartilage injuries
- Shoulder impingement or dislocation
- Groin pain and hip-related sports injuries
- Early osteoarthritis in active individuals
- Stress fractures and bone injuries
- Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)
- Plantar fasciitis and foot pain
- Running and overuse injuries
- Sports-related back or neck pain
We also offer support for:
- Injury prevention programmes
- Rehabilitation after surgery or long-term injury
- Return-to-play planning for athletes and active individuals
- Performance optimisation and joint preservation in sport
Whether your goal is to get back to everyday fitness or compete at a higher level, our team is here to guide your recovery with expert assessment, hands-on treatment and long-term support, all in a dedicated, well-equipped setting in North London.
Sports Medicine Consultants in London
Our Sports Injury Clinic is led by consultant orthopaedic surgeons and sport and exercise medicine specialists with extensive experience treating both elite athletes and active individuals. Each consultant takes the time to assess your injury thoroughly and guide you through every stage of your recovery.
How our Sports Injury Clinic works
From your first appointment, our aim is to give you a clear diagnosis and a practical plan to get you back to activity. Your care typically follows three stages:
Diagnosis: Your consultant will take a detailed history, examine the injury and, where needed, arrange same-day or next-day imaging such as MRI, ultrasound or X-ray. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment.
Treatment: Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include physiotherapy, targeted injections, shockwave therapy or, where appropriate, surgery. Your consultant will talk you through the options and recommend the least invasive approach likely to be effective.
Rehabilitation: Our physiotherapists design a tailored rehabilitation programme to restore strength, movement and confidence, with a clear plan for your safe return to sport or exercise.
About Our Sports Medicine Clinic in London
At our Sports Medicine Clinic, we offer fast, specialist-led care for anyone affected by injury, persistent pain, or movement-related concerns. Whether you’ve recently been injured, are struggling with long-term symptoms, or want clarity on a recurring issue, our consultants are here to help, from first assessment through to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
We take a practical, patient-centred approach to care, ensuring every treatment plan is tailored to your lifestyle, goals, and recovery timeline. With quick access to diagnostic imaging, specialist physiotherapy, and a network of orthopaedic and rehabilitation experts, we aim to reduce downtime and support your return to activity as safely and efficiently as possible.
Sports Physiotherapy in London
Sports physiotherapy is a strand of physiotherapy that is dedicated to sports injuries. These treatment techniques can help you get back to training, whether you’re an elite athlete or have simply exerted yourself too much while playing sport or exercising. Each sports physiotherapy treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs and fitness level to help you achieve your own personal goals. At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, our specialist sports physiotherapists work closely with consultants to guide your recovery, combining hands-on treatment, movement re-education, and exercise therapy in a supportive, well-equipped environment.
Health Articles
You can read articles, interviews and blogs on a range of health topics on our blog page. We frequently speak to our expert consultants and clinicians to get their specialist advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injuries and Treatments
Our Sports Injury Clinic is located at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital in St John’s Wood (NW8), easily accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6) and across North and Central London.
By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk to and from St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
By Bus: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station. Routes 139 and 189 stop on Abbey Road.
By Car: Finchley Road and Kilburn High Road provide direct routes from NW3 and NW6.
A sports injury clinic assesses, diagnoses, and treats injuries related to physical activity, from acute injuries like sprains or fractures to overuse issues such as tendinopathy or joint pain. Clinics often include access to imaging, physiotherapy, consultant-led care and tailored rehabilitation, helping you recover safely and return to activity.
Physiotherapy supports recovery from a wide range of conditions, including post-operative care and chronic pain. Sports physiotherapy is a specialist area that focuses on injuries caused by exercise or sport. Sports physios often work with active individuals, targeting movement, performance, and injury prevention as part of recovery.
At your appointment, you’ll see a specialist who will assess your symptoms, review any previous scans or notes, and may order further investigations such as X-rays or MRI if needed. From there, they’ll discuss a treatment plan, which might include physiotherapy, medication, or a referral for surgery if appropriate.
Injuries involving ligaments, such as ACL tears, or those requiring surgery, like complex fractures or shoulder dislocations, can take longer to heal. Recovery also depends on age, fitness, and the demands of your sport. A tailored rehab plan can make even complex injuries more manageable over time.
Yes, your GP can assess a sports injury and refer you for further investigation or treatment if needed. However, if you want a faster diagnosis or specialist-led care, a dedicated Sports Injury Clinic may offer quicker access to scans, consultant input, and physiotherapy in one place.
Recovery time varies depending on the type and severity of the injury. Mild strains may improve within a few days, while more complex injuries can take weeks or months. Your treatment plan will be designed to suit your condition, with guidance on expected timelines and return-to-activity goals.
You do not always need a GP referral to book a consultation at our Sports Injury Clinic, and you can often refer yourself directly. If you are using private medical insurance, however, your insurer will usually require a referral and an authorisation code before your appointment, so it is worth checking with them first.
Because our clinic is based within a full hospital, we have on-site MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray facilities. In many cases imaging can be arranged on the same day or shortly after your consultation, which helps your consultant reach an accurate diagnosis quickly without the delay of an external referral.
If your consultant recommends surgery, it can be carried out at the same hospital by our consultant orthopaedic surgeons, with inpatient rooms and physiotherapy on-site for your recovery. This means you can move from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation without being referred elsewhere.