Information for referring practitioners
Dr Christopher Spelman (MBBS, MSpMd, FRACS) is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specialising in adult and paediatric hip and knee disorders.
Referral scope
Adult hip — osteoarthritis, dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement, avascular necrosis, primary and revision arthroplasty, hip resurfacing, periacetabular osteotomy
Adult knee — osteoarthritis, ACL and multiligament injury, meniscal pathology, patellofemoral instability, primary and revision arthroplasty, partial knee replacement, osteotomy
Paediatric — DDH across all age groups including harness and brace management, Perthes disease, SCFE, paediatric ACL injury, patellofemoral instability, limb reconstruction
Trauma — upper and lower limb fractures, all ages
Referrals that should be marked urgent
• Suspected SCFE. An adolescent with a limp and hip, thigh or knee pain. Unstable slips should not weight-bear and need same-day orthopaedic assessment
• Suspected septic arthritis — This should be referred directly to the closest children’s hospital for immediate management and is not suitable for an outpatient referral.
• Acute fracture or dislocation
• Locked knee
For any questions or enquires please email office@drspelman.com.au.
Imaging that helps
Referrals are much more useful with imaging already done.
• Hip — weight-bearing AP pelvis plus lateral of the affected hip. For childhood hip disorders including suspected SCFE, add a frog-lateral of both hips
• Knee — weight-bearing AP, lateral, rosenberg and skyline. Standing long-leg alignment films if deformity is a feature
• Paediatric hip dysplasia — ultrasound under six months; plain films x-ray AP and frog lateral thereafter
• MRI is helpful for suspected soft-tissue pathology but is not required before referral. Please do not delay referral to obtain it
Correspondence
Dr Spelman writes to the referring practitioner after the initial consultation, following any procedure, and at significant changes in management. This will be done via HealthLink where available.
Contacting the rooms
For bookings enquiries please use the following
Email: edsp@epworth.org.au
Phone: (03) 9426 8388
For clinical questions from GPs, physio or other care providers please email: office@drspelman.com.au