Other knee conditions

Other knee conditions — referral criteria for Joint pain services.

Eligibility

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

Clinically suspected or confirmed other knee conditions with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Acutely septic prosthetic joint

Joint dislocation

Knee extensor mechanism rupture

Locked knee where the joint cannot be moved at all

Open injury with possible tendon or joint involvement

Patients with acutely painful, hot, swollen joint especially if febrile

Suspected acute bone infection

Suspected fracture, or fracture requiring manipulation or operation

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Existing total knee replacement with new pain, loosening or other concern

Suspected malignancy of knee, leg or calf

Other chronic knee conditions including — anterior knee pain

Other chronic knee conditions including — chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear

Other chronic knee conditions including — knee ligamentous injury or instability

Other chronic knee conditions including — loose body, unstable osteochrondral fragment, osteochronditis dissecans (OCD)

Other chronic knee conditions including — meniscal injury or pathology with intermittent mechanical symptoms (locking, clicking, catching)

Other chronic knee conditions including — recurrent patellar dislocation

Other chronic knee conditions including — spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee

Usually managed in primary care

Recurrent patellar dislocation where non-surgical treatment modalities have not been trialled