Specialist Spinal, Hip and Knee Expertise 

Mike Saegert is a Spinal, Hip & Knee Specialist Physiotherapist working at Band 8a level within the NHS, with over 20 years of clinical experience. He graduated from St Mary’s University with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Rehabilitation in 2003 and completed an MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Brighton in 2007. Mike is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Alongside his private practice, Mike works as an NHS musculoskeletal specialist in spinal, hip and knee care. He also works within the Acute Knee Clinic at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, supporting orthopaedic consultants with specialist physiotherapy assessment and decisions about appropriate preoperative, postoperative and non-surgical management.

Mike is highly experienced in assessing persistent and overlapping symptoms where the source of pain is not immediately clear. This may include differentiating between hip and lower-back pain, determining whether leg pain or sciatica is arising from the spine, or assessing whether pain around the shoulder blade or into the arm may be related to the neck.

He can request appropriate diagnostic imaging and interpret X-rays and MRI scans alongside the clinical assessment and use injection therapy when appropriate. Where necessary, Mike can refer patients for an orthopaedic or spinal surgical opinion and liaise with spinal surgeons and pain specialists regarding procedures such as nerve-root blocks or facet-joint injections.

Specialist Areas of Clinical Practice 

Mike assesses and treats a broad range of spinal, hip and knee conditions, including persistent or recurring neck and lower-back pain, sciatica and nerve-related symptoms, pain around the shoulder blade or extending into the arm, hip osteoarthritis, knee pain and symptoms that overlap between the spine and nearby joints.

He also has extensive experience supporting patients before and after spinal, hip and knee surgery. This includes rehabilitation following spinal decompression or fusion, ACL and other knee-ligament surgery, meniscal and cartilage repair, and total hip or knee replacement.

Patients often seek Mike’s opinion when symptoms have not improved with previous treatment, imaging has not been clearly explained, the diagnosis remains uncertain or they need help deciding whether further rehabilitation, an injection, additional investigation or a surgical opinion may be appropriate.

Mike’s assessment brings together the clinical history, physical examination, response to movement and loading, and any relevant imaging. This allows him to explain the most likely source of the symptoms and provide a clear, individual treatment and rehabilitation plan.

Manual Therapy Integrated With Rehabilitation 

Mike has particular expertise in manual therapy and uses hands-on treatment where it can meaningfully improve movement, reduce pain or help someone progress with rehabilitation. This may include carefully selected joint mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques and other manual approaches based on the individual assessment.

Manual therapy is not used as a stand-alone or passive treatment. Mike integrates it with education, movement retraining, progressive strengthening and activity-specific rehabilitation so that any short-term improvement supports longer-term recovery.

His approach is particularly valuable when pain or stiffness is preventing someone from moving comfortably enough to begin rehabilitation. Hands-on treatment can help create an opportunity for movement, while the wider programme addresses strength, control, confidence and tolerance to everyday activity, work or sport.

Imaging and Injection Therapy

Mike can request and interpret diagnostic imaging, including X-rays and MRI scans, where this is clinically appropriate. Imaging findings are considered alongside your symptoms and physical assessment so that treatment decisions are based on the complete clinical picture rather than a scan report alone.

Mike completed postgraduate MSc-level training in injection therapy in 2016 and provides specialist knee injection therapy in Emsworth for selected knee osteoarthritis and meniscal-related presentations.

Injection options may include corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid treatments, depending on the individual presentation. Injection therapy can also be combined with rehabilitation where reducing pain or joint irritability may help someone progress more comfortably with movement and strengthening.

View the Emsworth Knee Injection Clinic →

What Mike Enjoys Treating 

“I particularly enjoy working with people who have persistent spinal, hip or knee symptoms, especially when previous treatment has not helped or the source of the problem is unclear.

I enjoy unravelling presentations where symptoms may overlap—for example, determining whether pain is arising from the hip or lower back, or whether shoulder-blade and arm symptoms may be related to the neck.

A key part of my role is helping people understand their symptoms, scan findings and treatment options. Moving someone from uncertainty or concern towards greater confidence and a structured way forward is something I find particularly rewarding.

I place great importance on listening to each person and understanding their goals, concerns and what matters most to them. My aim is to create a calm and supportive environment in which patients feel informed and involved in decisions about their care.”

A Little About Mike 

Mike understands the challenge of remaining fit and active while balancing work and family life. He is passionate about helping people return to the activities that matter to them, whether that means sport, hobbies, work or simply enjoying everyday life without unnecessary restriction.

Outside the clinic, Mike still enjoys playing football each week—despite his wife’s better judgement—as well as golf, paddleboarding and spending time with his family.

Book Your Specialist Appointment With Mike 

Mike provides specialist spine, hip and knee assessment and rehabilitation in Emsworth, and a spine-only service in Gosport.

Appointments include a detailed assessment, a clear explanation of the likely source of your symptoms and an individually tailored treatment and rehabilitation plan.

Book Online With Mike →

Online booking is available for self-funding appointments. If you have WPA insurance, please contact us before booking.

Mike’s specialist clinics run on Fridays, and appointments may book several weeks in advance. If no appointments are showing online, please contact us, as additional availability may sometimes be possible.

Prefer to Speak to Us First?

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are coming from your spine, hip or knee, would prefer not to book online or have a question before arranging your appointment, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0330 133 9090

Or complete the enquiry form and we will get back to you.