Kim Ryder

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Specialisms

• Lower limb Amputation Adults and Paediatrics
• Pre and Post Prosthetics
• Rehabilitation
• Orthopaedics

Introduction

I qualified as a physiotherapist from Coventry University in 2000, and I have specialised in the field of amputee rehabilitation since 2003. Between 2013 and 2024, I was employed as the clinical lead physiotherapist for amputee rehabilitation at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals (SaTH) NHS Trust, which involved managing the physiotherapy service for all outpatient amputees referred to the team. This included assessing lower limb amputees, together with the planning and delivery of highly specialist rehabilitation programmes for patients at both the pre-prosthetic and the post-prosthetic stages of their rehabilitation. These patients commonly had diabetes and contralateral limb issues such as digital and partial foot amputations. Many also had peripheral neuropathy or nerve injuries that needed to be managed alongside the primary amputation.

In addition to my work in amputee rehabilitation, I have always maintained an interest in orthopaedic physiotherapy. This started when I completed my junior rotations in 2001. Thereafter, I continued to play an active role in the orthopaedic weekend rotas at two different NHS trusts, and I led the therapy team on a general rehabilitation ward between 2011 and 2013, where most of the patients had complex orthopaedic conditions. I also regularly encountered patients with orthopaedic conditions (such as fractures, dislocations and soft tissue injuries) as part of my clinical role at SaTH because many amputees undergo surgery as a result of major trauma, and many will have other orthopaedic injuries that require physiotherapy treatment.

Since November 2024, I have been working as a rehabilitation case manager for Health and Care Management Ltd (HCML), where I support patients who are going through the litigation process. This involves providing an Initial Needs Assessment (INA) report at the beginning of the rehabilitation process, and then organising and managing the rehabilitation services that the injured person requires (such as physiotherapy, care, rehabilitation equipment, psychology, and occupational therapy) in collaboration with the instructing parties. This is a fascinating role and I envisage being able to achieve much more holistic patient outcomes than I was able to provide in the NHS. My caseload will also be more varied and will include a variety of orthopaedic multi-track cases and a large proportion of amputee catastrophic injury cases.

I accept instructions from both Claimant and Defendant Solicitors and Insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses.