Soft tissue injuries

Acute soft tissue and ligamentous injuries.

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Soft tissue injury requiring specialised follow-up after primary assessment

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Suspected grossly unstable joint — refer to ED

Knee dislocation — refer to ED

Injury to more than one knee ligament — refer to ED

Acute traumatic tendon rupture (biceps, Achilles, quadriceps, rotator cuff in young patient with significant trauma) — refer to ED

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Unstable ligament injury (lateral collateral ankle, medial collateral knee, AC joint, gamekeeper's thumb) — review within 1–3 days

Locked knee (inability to fully extend) — bucket-handle meniscal tear — review within 1–3 days

First shoulder dislocation in patient <25 years — review within 1–3 days

Scapho-lunate dissociation — review within 1–3 days

Cruciate ligament rupture — review within 5–7 days

All other shoulder dislocations — review within 5–7 days

Elbow dislocations — review within 5–7 days

Patella dislocation — review within 7–10 days

Other immobilised ligamentous injuries (grade 2 or 3) — review within 7–10 days

Usually managed in primary care

All urgent cases must be discussed with the Orthopaedic Surgery Registrar on call before faxing referral to 9076 6938