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.

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