Orthopaedic Unit

Patients will be triaged according to their presenting problem and where possible, offered an appointment in a clinic location closest to their home address (subject to appointment availability and waiting times).

Information is available on HealthPathway Melbourne for assistance in managing your patient’s condition. This includes what investigations you need to perform prior to referring to a specialist and what information you need to include in the referral.  If you require login access to HealthPathways, contact [email protected].

For conditions listed below, refer to the Statewide Referral Criteria for Specialist Clinics:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee
• Other knee conditions
• Osteoarthritis of the hip
• Other hip conditions
• Progressive lower back pain
• Shoulder trauma
• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder
• Other non-traumatic shoulder conditions

For all other Orthopaedic conditions, please continue to refer as per clinical assessment and need, with all relevant imaging sent prior to the appointment.

General Practitioners may send patients with fractures they have treated for review in the fracture clinic.

Hand problems are best sent to Plastic Surgery Clinic which incorporates the hand therapy service.

For referral information, including how to refer electronically, see Specialist (Outpatients) Clinics.

If your patient’s condition deteriorates, please send an updated referral via HealthLink SmartForms selecting the Referral Continuation “Amended referral/update previously sent referral” with additional clinical information. 

Emergency cases should be sent to the Emergency Department.