Emergency

If septic arthritis of the hip is present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar.

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Asymmetric skin creases with normal imaging.
  • Risk factors for developmental hip dysplasia with normal imaging (see Required for imaging guidelines).

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Dislocated or subluxed developmental hip dysplasia on imaging, regardless of age.
  • Severe hip dysplasia on ultrasound or X-ray, regardless of age.
  • Persistent hip dysplasia on ultrasound (femoral head coverage of < 50%) at 3-6 months of age.
  • Abnormal clinical examination based on any of the following:
    • positive Ortolani's or Barlow's test
    • limited hip abduction
    • leg length discrepancy.

Note: Abnormal clinical signs warrant imaging prior to referral.

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

  • Mild or moderate hip dysplasia on X-ray in child aged 6-24 months.
  • Adolescents with hip pain and underlying developmental hip dysplasia.

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

Mild or moderate hip dysplasia on X-ray in child aged ≥ 2 years.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • indication for screening
    • risk factors for developmental hip dysplasia
    • treatment prescribed (for example physiotherapy, orthotic bracing)
    • relevant family history
    • ultrasound: hips (if child aged < 6 months)
    • x-ray: hips (if child aged ≥ 6 months).

Note: If any uncertainty on early ultrasounds, a 6-month X-ray and consideration for referral as per above guidelines is recommended.

If available

  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered 'at risk' or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.
  • If the patient is suitable for virtual care or telehealth.
  • If the patient has special needs or requires reasonable adjustments to be made.
  • If the patient requires an interpreter (if so, list preferred language).

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.

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Current as at: Monday 17 June 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing