What to expect at the appointment
Whether the appointment is face-to-face or virtual, we will take a history of the issue, discuss any concerns and carry out a physical assessment. It is possible to carry out a thorough physical assessment through the virtual consultation.
Please note we have an orthopaedic review clinic for trauma patients. You may be asked to discuss any concerns or carry out any physical assessment.
How to prepare for the appointment
Please ensure the young person is wearing suitable clothing to allow a general screening and assessment of the relevant area while maintaining the young person’s privacy and dignity.
If you have been invited to a face-to-face hospital appointment and when you have phoned in and confirmed your clinic appointment, you will then attend the Paediatric Orthopaedic clinic.
The outcome of your clinic appointment will be discussed between you and the clinician. which will summarise the assessment, discussion and outcome from the appointment.
Here are some of the possible outcomes:
If your childs injury is being reviewed in the fracture clinic, you will be contacted by a nurse on how this injury will be managed further and expected timelines for recovery. You will also have an opportunity to ask any questions pertaining to further care.
Sent for investigation
The CYP may be sent for an investigation (e.g. X-Ray, MRI, ultrasound scan) This may also occur on the day or be scheduled in a separate appointment.
Following the investigation the clinical team may arrange for a further appointment (face-to-face, by telephone or by video technology) or write to the family with the result.
If you have attended for investigation i.e. MRI/US SCAN and have not heard anything within 6 weeks, please call the Orthopaedic Secretary on 01592 729071 to check if your scan has been reported.
For Trauma – If you have attended for investigation i.e. MRI/US SCAN and have not heard anything within 4 weeks, please call your Consultant’s Secretary on (01592 643355 Extension 22685) or via switchboard to check if your scan has been reported.
Follow-up appointment
After the consultation it may be decided a review appointment is required. This may be by a face-to-face consultation, by telephone or using video technology (Near Me).
Follow-up appointments can be used to gain further information (i.e. a face-to-face arranged if initial appointment was virtual) to assess response assess for fracture healing and recovery from injury.
If you have an appointment for a return visit to the clinic and you are unable to attend please call the booking office on 01592 729000 to arrange an alternative date.
Referred to Allied Health Professional
At the appointment it may be decided that input from another healthcare professional would be of benefit. We work closely with our Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry and Orthotic colleagues.
Referred to another consultant
After your consultation it may be decided the opinion of another Clinical team is required. This could be to a consultant within the orthopaedic department who has more experience with a specific orthopaedic problem or a consultant in another specialty if the diagnosis is not thought to be orthopaedic in nature.
Referred for second opinion
After your consultation it may be decided that another clinical opinion is required. This occurs when the reason for referral or the treatment of that condition is complex. It may be required when the best treatment is unclear or carries significant risks. It may also be required when the treatment itself may be challenging due to other medical issues.
Added to procedure or surgical waiting list
Once the consultation has been completed, it may be agreed that the CYP could benefit from an intervention such as stretching casts, target injections for focal spasticity (see Life-long conditions for further information) or surgery.
Paediatric orthopaedic surgery for CYP seen in NHS Fife takes place at RHCYP Edinburgh.
Waiting times for surgery vary depending on what operation is required. You will be contacted and offered a date for your child’s surgery. They may be asked to attend a pre-assessment clinic prior to their surgery.
Additionally, if during your consultation it is felt that your injury requires to be dealt with by an operation, you will be added to the Trauma List. We will try our best to do this promptly within an acceptable period of time.
Discharged
After the consultation the clinical team may discharge the CYP from clinic once we have offered an opinion and management plan. In some cases, there may not be an orthopaedic solution for the problem. Should you wish a further appointment then a new referral would be required.
Once your fracture has united, you may be discharged from active orthopaedic care. However, you may be referred to other specialties such as physiotherapy to provide you with ongoing rehabilitation.
Parent / carer responsibilities
As a parent/carer you have a responsibility to:
- Keep agreed hospital appointments and admissions
- Let us know of need to cancel an appointment or admission
- Let us know of unavailability for periods of time
- Let us know of changes in name, address or telephone details
- Please note, failure of a child to attend without good reason may result in triggering of NHS Fife Children and Young Person Protection Policies.
Patient hospital transport
For information and booking of patient transport please contact hospital contact directly on 0300 123 1236.