Urgent and Emergency Musculoskeletal Conditions Requiring Onward Referral

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Updated guidance was published in December to support primary and community care practitioners in recognising serious pathology which requires emergency or urgent referral to secondary care in people with new or worsening MSK symptoms. Serious pathology as a cause of MSK conditions is considered rare, but it needs to be managed either as an emergency or as urgent onward referral as directed by local pathways. Any part of the MSK system can be affected.

Emergency conditions are serious pathologies which must be dealt with on the day as an emergency. The guidance highlights the need to keep updated on pathways for emergency referral in the local system. It sets out the symptoms to look out for in Cauda equina syndrome, Metastatic spinal cord compression, Spinal Infection, Septic arthritis, and Giant Cell Arteritis as well as for a range of conditions which require an onward urgent referral.

Find the full guidance on the ARMA Resources page.