Referral Guidelines

Suggested Guidelines For Referral

Urgent patients will be prioritised in the spinal service.

Contact us via fax on 01642 624814 or by ringing one of the spinal unit secretaries.

• Patients with acute sciatica not responding to conservative treatment for 6 weeks.
• Patients with suspected metastases or infection.
• Patients with severe back pain not responding to oral analgesic management.
• Patients with progressive neural deficit in the upper or lower limbs.

If a cauda equine syndrome is suspected or patient has progressive neurological deficit.

please call us immediately on 01642 617617 and ask to speak to Mr Krishna's or Mr Friese Mr Friesem's secretary.

Suggested Indications For Routine Referral

• Patients with recurring attacks of mechanical low back pain which are becoming more frequent and lasting longer. These patients may have spinal instability and may benefit from stabilisation.

• Patients with spinal stenosis with symptoms of neurogenic claudication. The claudication distance may be getting shorter and the symptoms progressing.

• Patients with neck pain and upper limb radiculopathy should be seen within 2 months of their symptoms starting if conservative treatment hasn't helped them.

These are broad guidelines only. Basically any patient who fails primary care treatment, and has a significant Disability and poor pain control is a suitable candidate for referral. If an MRI is done prior to referral it shortens The patient journey in the hospital.

• Patients with neurological symptoms and signs linked to the spine.