Ankle or foot injury (acute)

​Emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar:

  • dislocations
  • displaced ankle, midfoot, Lisfranc or hindfoot fracture (particularly talar and calcaneal fractures)
  • nail bed trauma (subungual haematoma associated with distal phalanx fractures)
  • open injuries with exposed tendons or bones/joints
  • septic arthritis
  • suspected neurovascular compromise or compartment syndrome
  • syndesmosis injuries
  • tendon ruptures

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Diabetic neuropathic conditions
    Note: consider referral to a High Risk Foot Service
  • Patients who would otherwise be referred to a fracture clinic
  • Simple ankle sprain

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Stress fracture of the foot
  • Peroneal dislocation
  • Complex ankle sprain

Note: consider assessment and treatment by physiotherapist prior to referral

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

  • Other neuropathic conditions affecting ankle or foot
  • Tendinopathies of the ankle or foot not responding to non-operative management

Note: patients are strongly encouraged to have undertaken a trial of non-operative management (for example podiatry and physiotherapy, optimisation of health co-morbidities) prior to referral

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

Recurrent ankle sprains (for example lateral ligament injuries)

Note: patients are expected to have undertaken a trial of non-operative management (for example podiatry and physiotherapy, optimisation of health co-morbidities) prior to referral

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition
  • Provisional diagnosis
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), specifically including:
    • x-ray of affected area and/or ultrasound if soft tissue (tendon) injury

If available

  • Medical and/or allied health reports​

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.


 

Current as at: Monday 23 March 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing