Knee pain (acute)
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:
- suspected septic arthritis
- acute extensor mechanism rupture
- XR demonstrates fracture
- Locked knee
- Significant internal or ligamentous derangement
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Identified:
- post traumatic instability
- meniscal injuries (without degeneration)
- effusion
- Unstable patella
- Avascular necrosis of the tibial plateau
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
- Timing of first review appointments at orthopaedic outpatients:
- if there is documentation indicating adequate alignment and satisfactory initial treatment of fracture – to be seen within 14 days of referral
- all other fracture cases, delayed presentation of tendon and nerve injuries – to be seen within 7 days of referral
- For suspected infection of native or prosthetic knee do not start antibiotics until discussed with on call registrar. If systemic illness associated then refer direct to ED
- Weight bearing Xrays are preferred to an MRI as MRI’s are expensive for the patients and do not add any value to diagnosis or treatment options
- Chronic disease requires to be optimized prior to referral or the patients may not proceed to surgery
Management
- XR to rule out fracture
- Analgesia/anti-inflammatories/ NSAIDs as appropriate
- Physiotherapy/hydrotherapy (where available)
- Mobility aid and activity modification
- 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
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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Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
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