Hip pain
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.
Does your patient wish to be referred?
Minimum referral criteria
Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days is desirable
- Refer directly to emergency if clinically indicated e.g. suspected septic arthritis
- Past history or suspicion of malignancy and/or lesion on XR
- Radiological evidence of avascular necrosis of hip in a patient <60 years
- History of trauma / falls
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Severe symptoms impairing quality of life, based on:
- pain and/or disability
- sleep disturbance
- relating to mobility/independence
- inability to undertake normal activities
- reduced functional capacity or psychiatric illness
- unresponsive to therapy over ≥ 2 months
- Gradual onset pain in previously well-functioning arthroplasty
- Radiological evidence of avascular necrosis of hip > 60 years of age
- Young adult <40 years suspected labral tear with acute mechanism and mechanical symptoms
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Functional impairment and/or pain persists despite maximal management
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria
Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.
If you still need to refer your patient:
- Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
- Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service
Other important information for referring practitioners
Not an exhaustive list
- Diagnosis and management of hip and knee osteoarthritis RACGP, Clinical guidelines, Diagnosis and management of hip and knee osteoarthritis
Management
- Analgesia/NSAIDs as appropriate
- Physiotherapy/hydrotherapy (where available)
- Mobility aid and activity modification (i.e. use of a walking aid contralateral hand)
- Remain active as pain allows (get moving program/home exercise program)
- Home modification and use of adult day care
- Better health self-management program
- Obesity is associated with an increase in complications associated with surgery – consider dietitian and weight reduction if BMI is >35
- Chronic disease requires to be optimized prior to referral or the patients may not proceed to surgery
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
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
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healthpathways
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
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