Upper limb nerve compression
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:
- upper limb radiculopathy in the presence of suspected cervical spine infection
- upper limb nerve compression in association with trauma or acute event
- Upper limb radiculopathy in the presence of suspected cervical spine malignancy
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Continuous pain and / or muscle weakness in distribution of peripheral upper limb nerve
- Recurrent symptoms after surgical decompression
- Rapid progressive deterioration
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Intermittent symptoms without weakness or wasting in distribution of peripheral upper limb nerve
- Carpal tunnel syndrome refer after 6 months of maximal management
- Ulnar entrapment neuropathy when no response to ≥ 6 months of 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
Management
- Analgesia/NSAIDs as appropriate
- Consider steroid injection (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome) if clinically appropriate
- Night splint (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Occupational therapy / physiotherapy – for splinting, joint ROM exercises to maintain mobility, neural gliding exercises
- 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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For login details email:
healthpathways
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.