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Orthopaedics · Refer Your Patient
Copied from the official Gold Coast Health condition page (27 Aug 2026). Hospital triage assigns the official category. Live source: Refer Your Patient — Bow legs.
Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - A child currently in out of home care (OOHC) or at risk of entering or leaving OOHC, where they have previously been on a waiting list for this problem and were removed without receiving a service
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - Ongoing pain in lower limbs - After a traumatic event
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Persistence of bow legs after three (3) years of age - Intercondylar separation > 6 cm - Asymmetrical deformity - Excessive deformity - Progressive deformity - Other associated skeletal deformity such as height below 5th percentile for age - Joint movement limitation
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Clinical history and examination including key points: - evolution and duration of symptoms, and associated complaints (onset, progression) - history of infection, trauma, fracture - treatment prescribed and efficacy - current and past medical history and medications - relevant family history associated to this condition i.e. siblings/parents with same condition - risk factor for rickets - Growth parameters (height below 5th percentile) - Observation of gait - Weight bearing long leg X-ray if: - unilateral deformity - progressive deformity - lack of spontaneous resolution - aged over three years old - Confirmation of OOHC (where appropriate) 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.
The following conditions are out of scope for this service: - Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery - Disability assessment (refer to HealthPathways) - Referrals for assessment prior to application for the Australian Defence Force or Queensland Police Service
Parent service: Orthopaedics
Sign in for localised assessment and management. HealthPathways does not send the referral. Register: gchealthpathways@health.qld.gov.au