Peripheral entrapment neuropathies including CTS (Orthopaedics)
Adult

Orthopaedics

Useful Management Information

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be referred to the following specialities but will be triaged in a unified manner by all specialities concerned:
    • Orthopaedics
    • Plastic and Reconstructive surgery
    • Neurosurgery
    • General Surgery
  • Chronic disease requires to be optimised prior to referral or the patients may not proceed to surgery

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • Upper limb radiculopathy in the presence of suspected cervical spine pathology/malignancy
  • Severe disabling symptoms with weakness and wasting and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) confirmation of diagnosis
  • Common peroneal nerve injury
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Very frequent/continuous symptoms without weakness or wasting and any one of:
    • Rapid progressive deterioration
    • Recurrence after surgical decompression
    • Failed maximum medical management
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • Intermittent symptoms without weakness or wasting after 6 months maximum medical management
  • Ulnar entrapment neuropathy without weakness or wasting and no response to ≥ 6 months of maximal management
  • 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.

Essential Referral Information

Detailed clinical examination with sensory mapping, presence of neurological deficit and functional assessment (include impacts on ADL and employment)

  • Management to date (include allied health input and steroid injections)
  • Duration and rate of progression of symptoms
  • Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) required for Cat 1 cases only (where available and does not cause significant delay to patient accessing outpatient service)
  • CT spine (only where suspecting central compression pathology)

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

  • XR results - AP and lateral (of region) (if available)
  • Nerve conduction studies (where available and not cause significant delay to patient accessing outpatient service)
  • OT/Physio report (if available)
Last updated 16 July 2021

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Send to: Gold Coast Health Service District

Internal Referrals

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

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

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

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

Service Availability

Dr Will Talbot

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.

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