Knee pain (acute)

On this page

Useful Management Information

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.
Chronic disease requires to be optimised prior to referral or the patients may not proceed to surgery.
Obesity is associated with an increase in complications associated with surgery – consider dietitian & weight reduction monitoring if BMI is >35.

Minimum Referral Criteria

Category 1	Acute obstructed/locked knee (unable to reach full extension) Multi ligament knee injury
Category 2	Knee pain identified: post traumatic instability effusion unstable patella
Category 3	Meniscal injuries (in the absence of locking) Functional impairment and/or pain persists despite maximal management
If your patient doesn't meet the minimum referral criteria If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested: 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

Standard Referral Information

Reason for request

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Relevant clinical information about the condition

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
All conservative options that have been pursued unsuccessfully prior to referral
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes, BMI), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Any special care requirements where relevant (e.g tracheostomy in place, oxygen required)
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

Patient's Demographic Details

Full name (including aliases)
Date and country of birth
Residential and postal address including whether patient resides at an aged care facility
Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
Medicare number (where eligible)
Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
Name of delegate and contact details (Department of Corrective Services)
Preferred language and interpreter requirements
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Any special needs, access requirements and/or disability relevant to the referral

Referring Practitioner Details

Full name
Full address
Contact details – telephone, fax, email
Provider number
Date of referral
Signature
Nominated general practitioner’s details (if known), if the nominated general practitioner is different from the referring practitioner

Other relevant information

Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Essential Referral Information

History of - symptoms, date, recurrence of injury and mechanism, severity or evolution of injury
Pain and other symptoms including haemarthrosis / effusion, locking, instability
True locking (versus intermittent stiffness)
XR results - knee weight bearing AP, lateral and skyline.

If a specific test result cannot be obtained due to access, financial, religious, cultural or consent reasons a clinical override may be requested. This reason must be clearly articulated in the body of the referral.

Additional Referral Information

MRI results for suspected locked knee or significant internal or ligamentous derangement (where available and not cause significant delay)
Hip and knee questionnaire (patient to complete)

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Coming Soon

Internal Referrals

Orthopaedics (E-Blueslips), Orthopaedic Fracture - GCUH (E-Blueslips), Orthopaedic Fracture - Robina (E-Blueslips)

Fax

5687 4497

Post

Booking and Referral Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Service Availability

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

Robina Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.