Spine Virtual Fracture Clinic

What we do

The Spine Virtual Fracture Clinic (SVFC) manages the follow-up care of patients with simple spine fractures across the state.

The clinic gives patients with simple spine fractures access to a specialist opinion and management without having to visit the fracture clinic in person.

Who can use our service

Patients may be referred to our clinic from the wards at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), or from other hospitals in Melbourne and across Victoria.

What to expect from our service

1. You may be referred to the SVFC from any Victorian hospital’s ward or Emergency Department (ED) through our orthopaedic on-call service.
2. Once referred, an orthopaedic surgeon will review your imaging, such as x-rays and CT scans, to determine what treatment is needed. This may include a spine collar or brace.
   • Simple injuries and fractures are often monitored with repeat x-rays, but the patient does not need to come into the hospital for this. If the orthopaedic surgeon deems the injury suitable for virtual management, the SVFC physiotherapist contacts the patient by phone to organise x-rays and virtual appointments.
   • If the injury is more complex, the patient may need to come to the clinic to see the orthopaedic surgeon in person.

About the clinic

The Spine Virtual Fracture Clinic (SVFC) was established in 2022 after a health service innovation grant from the RMH.

After the success of the Virtual Fracture Clinic for arm and leg injures (established 2017), the RMH developed the first known virtual clinic for the management of simple spine fractures.