Shoulder trauma

Shoulder trauma — referral criteria for Joint pain services.

Full SRC reference

Eligibility

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

Clinically suspected or confirmed shoulder trauma with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Irreducible shoulder dislocation

Brachial plexus injury after reduction

Suspected fracture

Traumatic and deformed acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

First episode of shoulder trauma or dislocation in a patient — where their occupation or job requires working with their hands above shoulder height

First episode of shoulder trauma or dislocation in a patient — at risk of further dislocations due to ongoing high-impact activities

First episode of shoulder trauma or dislocation in a patient — at risk of instability due to structural pathology

Acute full thickness cuff tear with functional impairment (including following dislocation)

Recurrent (more than 1) dislocated shoulder or shoulder instability despite at least 3 months of active treatment that included: rehabilitation/physiotherapy, medications and avoidance of triggering events

Instability associated with structural pathology in a patient (e.g. superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesion, large Bankart lesion)

Usually managed in primary care

First episode of shoulder trauma or dislocation without any of the following risk factors — where the person’s occupation or job requires working with their hands above shoulder height
First episode of shoulder trauma or dislocation without any of the following risk factors — at risk of further dislocations due to ongoing high-impact activities
First episode of shoulder trauma or dislocation without any of the following risk factors — at risk of instability due to structural pathology
Acute full thickness cuff tear without functional impairment following dislocation
Recurrent (more than 2) dislocated shoulder or shoulder instability where at least 3 months of active treatment that included: medications, rehabilitation or physiotherapy and avoidance of triggering events has not been trialled