Orthopaedics

Conditions

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all conditions for outpatient services and does not exclude consideration for referral unless specifically stipulated in the out of scope section.

Paediatric services

Referrals for children and young people should follow the Children’s Health Queensland referral guidelines.

Emergency referrals

All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment. Contact through:

  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111
  • The Prince Charles Hospital (07) 3139 4000
  • Redcliffe Hospital (07) 3883 7777
  • Caboolture Hospital (07) 5433 8888

Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.

If any of the following are present or suspected, phone 000 to arrange immediate transfer to the emergency department or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

The list below includes common traumatic injuries that require referral to emergency and should not be referred for elective / fracture clinic categorisation

  • Acute cervical myelopathy
  • Acute back or neck pain secondary to neoplastic disease or infection
  • Spinal injuries
  • Suspected open fracture
  • Fracture requiring manipulation or operation
  • Suspected acute bone or joint infection
  • Acute high energy fracture with/without neurological abnormality
  • Injury associated with vascular compromise
  • Clavicle fracture
  • Osteoporotic / pathological fracture new abnormal neurology
  • Suspected infection or sudden pain in arthroplasty
    • if joint infection is suspected refer immediately to emergency or contact the orthopaedic registrar on call
    • do not commence antibiotics unless delay to specialist review is likely
  • Joint dislocations
  • Open injuries with possible tendon or joint involved
  • Nail bed injuries or retained foreign body
  • Knee extensor mechanism rupture
  • Acute peripheral nerve injury
  • Suspected acute compartment syndrome

Spine, Neck, Back Pain Emergency

NB: contact the Orthopaedic/Neurosurgery/Spine Registrar on-call for advice.

  • High risk of irreversible deficit if not assessed urgently
  • Spinal trauma
  • Spinal infections
  • Significant spinal nerve root compression or spinal cord compression with progressive neurological signs/symptoms e.g.
    • Spinal cord compression with severe or rapidly progressing neurological deficit
    • Cauda equina syndrome
      • Bilateral nerve pain (leg pain below knees)
      • Bladder / bowel dysfunction
      • Perineal anaesthesia
      • Progressive weakness
    • Bone infection

Out of scope services

Not all services are funded in the Queensland public health system. The following are not routinely provided in a public Orthopaedics service.

  • Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery

Specialists list

Clinic details

Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital
Level 7, Ned Hanlon Building

The Prince Charles Hospital
Ground floor, Main Building

Redcliffe Hospital
Ground floor, Main Building

 

Send referral

Hotline: 1300 364 938

Fax: 1300 364 952

Electronic: eReferral system

Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776  Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034

Health pathways

Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.

For login details email:
healthpathways@brisbanenorthphn.org.au

Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.healthpathwayscommunity.org

Back to top