Referral Information

Central Referral Process:

For the most streamlined referral pathway, please refer patients to our Regional Orthopaedic Consultation Clinic (ROCC).  One of our nonsurgical musculoskeletal/sports medicine specialists will evaluate the patient initiate the most appropriate care, such as further investigations and nonsurgical treatments.  If surgery is indicated, they will refer the one of our surgeons who is most appropriate for the patient’s condition and with the current shortest waiting list.  To do this, simply fill out our referral form HERE and fax it to the central intake number indicated at the top – (604) 914-2521.

If preferred, you may also refer to a specific surgeon but the wait time may be longer.  To do this, simply fax our referral form to that surgeon’s office.  You can find fax numbers HERE. 

Please Note: That POSM does not treat conditions of the hand, including carpal bones and fingers, or conditions of the spine.  For any hand or carpal conditions (scaphoid, trapezium, etc.) please refer to Plastic Surgery.  For conditions of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) please refer to Neurosurgery.

X-Ray Requirement

Referrals to POSM require at least an X-Ray of the affected body part within 6 months to allow us to triage the referral appropriately.  Please include the X-Ray report with your referral form.

Please note that referrals sent without required imaging will be automatically returned indicating the need for X-Ray or other imaging.

Must I use the POSM Referral Form?

We are happy to accept referrals via traditional referral letters if they contain all the required information contained within our referral form

 What X-Rays do I order?

At minimum, please order:

Shoulder: 3 views (True AP, lateral, Axillary)

Humerus: 2 views (AP, lateral)

Clavicle: 2 views

Elbow: 2 views (AP, lateral)

Forearm: 2 views (AP, lateral)

Wrist: 2 views (AP, lateral)

Hip: Standing AP pelvis, lateral hip

Femur: 2 views (AP, lateral)

Knee: Standing 3 views (AP, lateral, skyline)

Tibia/Fibula: 2 views (AP, lateral)

Ankle: Standing 3 views (AP, mortise, lateral)

Foot: Standing 3 views (AP, oblique, lateral)