Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate cost effectiveness, diagnostic rates, surgical percentage and appropriateness for orthopaedic referrals and number of patients able to be seen in orthopaedic triage from GP orthopaedic referrals. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved triaging paper referrals for orthopaedic outpatients to an interface service, orthotics or continue normal route. Data were collected on outcome of the interface appointment and outcomes for those patients referred to orthopaedics from the appointment. Findings – The study demonstrated a 27.3 per cent cost saving from the normal orthopaedic route with 86.1 per cent of patients able to be managed by an extended scope physiotherapist (ESP) without requiring orthopaedic assessment. Appropriateness of onward orthopaedic referrals was 80.5 per cent with surgery conversion rate of 75 per cent. Originality/value – Although triage and ESP positions have been studied before, this is the first known study to look at cost effectiveness across the patient pathway despite this being a large reason for the creation of these positions. Further larger studies are required to build upon this base in terms of demonstrating the cost effectiveness of the value of these positions.

GPs saw OCAS as another referral choice for patients suffering orthopaedic pathologies. GPs identified some difficulty in understanding the different services including the various professional roles involved. To assist with their understanding, they described requesting advertising of the different services and the clinicians involved or streamlining of services by provider services. Further detailed research addressing the limitations in this research design is indicated to investigate GP's thoughts and behaviours in relation to referral patterns especially as GPs in the UK took on commissioning for services from April 2013.

An unusual case is presented of an 11-year-old girl presenting for treatment to a semirural private physical therapy practice, not specializing in pediatric care, following an avulsion fracture of the anterior inferior iliac spine. The patient presented initially non-weight-bearing, with little hip movement due to pain. Following treatment, the patient returned to preinjury status including return to full participation in netball. A review of the literature regarding healing and rehabilitation is described. Concepts of neuromuscular retraining were integrated in the rehabilitation program. Recent evidence demonstrates deficiencies in hip and knee control for girls between 11 and 15 years of age. Evidence suggests that these deficiencies may be a precursor to injury and poor outcomes in lower extremity injuries in this patient group.