Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Suspected malignancy - New pain in previously well-functioning arthroplasty
Home · Orthopaedics · Condition
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 — Knee pain (chronic) conditions.
Cat 1 · 30 days
appointment within 30 calendar days. - Suspected malignancy - New pain in previously well-functioning arthroplasty
Cat 2 · 90 days
appointment within 90 calendar days. - No category 2 criteria
Cat 3 · 365 days
appointment within 365 calendar days. - Persistent pain or dysfunction despite attempts at medical management not meeting criteria for category 1
Referral will be returned without this. If a mandatory test cannot be obtained, say so in the referral.
- Pain history - Functional impact including employment - Examination findings including range of motion, swelling/effusion, stability, and alignment - Smoking status - HbA1C (diabetic patients only) - Previous joint surgery - Height, weight and BMI - Plain X-ray - MRI not required but negates other imaging if obtained
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