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Upper limb trauma

ADULT

Minimum Referral Criteria

  • Category 1
    (appointment within 30 calendar days)

    • Undisplaced fracture
    • Fracture that has been reduced and immobilised satisfactorily
    • Delayed presentation nerve or tendon injury
    • Delayed presentation joint dislocation
  • Category 2
    (appointment within 90 calendar days)

    • Fracture delayed or non-union
    • Mal-union affecting function
  • Category 3
    (appointment within 365 calendar days)

    • Mal-union not affecting function

1. Reason for request Indicate on the referral

  • 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

2. Essential referral information Referral will be returned without this

  • Previous orthopaedic conditions and operations
  • History of – symptoms, date, time, mechanism, severity or evolution of injury
  • Neurovascular examination (Cat 1 only)
  • Treatment to date (Immobiliser, splint or cast etc.)
  • Other joint involvement
  • XR results - scaphoid views only if out of plaster. Instruct patient to bring imaging films/results to clinic appointment

3. Additional referral information Useful for processing the referral

  • No additional information

4. Request

Last updated: 13 June 2023