Hip and Knee Arthritis Rapid Access Clinic

About the Rapid Access Clinic

The Rapid Access Clinic, located at the Holland Centre, is for people with hip or knee issues who want to learn more about their joint problem and treatment options, including surgeries like joint replacement. Patients receive a specialized assessment, education, and personalized treatment recommendations. If a patient needs to see an orthopaedic surgeon, an appointment will be made after this visit. Common conditions we see include:

• Moderate to severe hip arthritis
• Mild to severe knee osteoarthritis
• Knee cartilage lesions
• Lower extremity deformities/mal-alignment
• Patellofemoral instability, osteoarthritis
• Post-traumatic lower extremity deformities, arthritis, instability

We accept referrals from physicians or nurse practitioners and aim to see patients within 4 weeks of referral. Patients receive a specialized assessment, education, and personalized treatment recommendations. If a patient needs to see an orthopaedic surgeon, an appointment will be made after this visit.

Providers - How to refer a patient

 Download the referral form (PDF)
» Send us an eReferral or search for us on the Ocean Healthmap.

Help us reduce unnecessary MRIs: An MRI is not needed for diagnosing hip or knee arthritis. In most cases an X-ray is all that is needed. 

About the clinic visit

Our clinic is located in downtown Toronto, on the south side of Wellesley Street, between Yonge and Church. At your visit, you will meet with an Advanced Practice Provider. This is a physiotherapist or occupational therapist with advanced education and experience. These professionals have undergone specialized training and work closely with the orthopaedic surgeons in a team approach to your care.

The Advanced Practice Provider will ask you questions about your hip or knee problem. They will examine your joints and review results of relevant tests you have had. You will complete a short walking test and/or sit-to-stand test with a Physiotherapy Assistant. These tests give the Advanced Practice Provider more information about your function.

Once the Advanced Practice Provider has a detailed picture of your joint problem, they will explain the results, provide you with information and education, personalized treatment recommendations and answer your questions.

Personalized recommendations include:

• How to treat your symptoms
• How to improve your function
• Therapeutic exercises
• Recommended physical activities
• Community programs or services that may help you
• When to see a surgeon about your joint problem and how to prepare for surgery

Personalized recommendations include:

• How to treat your symptoms
• How to improve your function
• Therapeutic exercises
• Recommended physical activities
• Community programs or services that may help you
• When to see a surgeon about your joint problem and how to prepare for surgery

Preparing for the appointment

How long is the clinic visit?

Approximately 1 hour, but it may be longer if you need additional X-rays or a health assessment.

What to bring

• Your OHIP card
• A list of medications you are taking
• A CD with the X-ray images or a code that gives access to your X-ray images online (*your doctor only sends the x-ray report with your referral)
• Reports of other tests you have had for your hip or knee problem
• Loose clothing that allows you to move and so we can see your knees (e.g. shorts or pants that stretch and can be rolled up above your knees)

For the referral, your doctor sends us X-ray reports.

For the clinic visit, you need to bring the CD with the X-ray images. 

Will I need to complete any forms?

Yes, you will complete forms with questions about your pain and function. It might help you feel more prepared for your appointment if you read them or even complete them ahead of time.

 The P4 Questionnaire (PDF)

 

  

 Lower Extremity Functional Scale (PDF)

 

 

What if I need X-rays?

If you need additional X-rays, your Advanced Practice Provider will make arrangements for these to be done onsite during your assessment. The results will be shared with you during the visit.

What if I need to reschedule my appointment?

If you need to reschedule or are running late for your appointment, call the booking desk at 416-967-8617.

Helpful questions

Next steps

What patients say about the Rapid Access Clinic »

Reference

Kennedy DM, Robarts S, Woodhouse L. Patients are satisfied with advanced practice physiotherapists in a role traditionally performed by orthopaedic surgeons. Physiother Can. 2010;62:298–305

Want to know more about our team approach to care?

If you want to know more about our team approach to care please see our Model of Care page.

Want to know more about Advanced Practice Providers?

If you want to know more about Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), please see our About APPs page.

Additional resources:

• Videos: osteoarthritis and exercise
• Want to know how to talk to your doctor about joint pain? View helpful information from the Arthritis Alliance of Canada.
• GLA:D Canada: gladcanada.ca
• Sunnybrook blog posts about arthritis:
  • https://health.sunnybrook.ca/musculoskeletal/hip-knee-problems/
  • https://health.sunnybrook.ca/bone-joint-health/living-well-with-hip-or-knee-arthritis/
  • https://health.sunnybrook.ca/bone-joint-health/best-worst-exercises-arthritis-joint-pain/
  • https://health.sunnybrook.ca/bone-joint-health/can-active-arthritis/
  • https://health.sunnybrook.ca/bone-joint-health/osteoarthritis-symptoms-treatment-reducing-risk/
• Sunnybrook Speaker Series:
  • Advances in hip and knee replacements
  • When is hip & knee surgery necessary?
  • The Arthritis Society Webinars

Download the referral form (PDF)

For more information about the program, call 416-967-8617.