JOHN SEXTON considers physiotherapists to be useful allies for ENPs in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with soft tissue injuries

This article will discuss whether a chartered physiotherapist is a useful health care professional in the treatment of soft tissue injuries (STI) to which the emergency nurse practitioner (ENP) may refer such patients. It will describe the pathophysiology of STI and its relation to the current recommended treatments in the literature. It will also discuss whether physiotherapists should be based in the emergency department (ED) and if there are any advantages to this arrangement.