Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC
Orthopaedic Surgeon

How to Get a Referral

Reviewed by Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC | Last updated May 2026

This page explains the referral pathway and what patients should bring to their appointment.

Important: For an orthopaedic consultation, the radiology report alone is not sufficient. Dr. Jaroszynski must review the actual x-ray or MRI images.

Hip or knee replacement consultations

For possible hip or knee replacement surgery, the family doctor or nurse practitioner should refer the patient through the regional Musculoskeletal Central Intake and Assessment Centre. In Ontario Health West, MSK CIAC is the central point of contact for hip and knee arthritis referrals, including Burlington and the surrounding region.

  1. Discuss your hip or knee arthritis symptoms with your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
  2. The referring clinician completes the MSK CIAC hip and knee referral form and sends it to central intake.
  3. At the assessment clinic, patients may choose their surgeon. If you choose Dr. Jaroszynski, the referral will be forwarded to this office.
  4. Before the consultation, obtain access to your actual imaging. Most imaging clinics provide online access codes or portal instructions. Some still provide images on CD/DVD.

Non-joint replacement consultations

For non-joint replacement problems, a family doctor or any physician may fax a referral directly to this office.

Imaging instructions

Patients should bring access to the actual images for the consultation. Imaging facilities and family doctors often send radiology reports, but they generally do not send the actual image files to this office. The report is helpful, but it is not a substitute for reviewing the images directly.

Before your appointment: contact the imaging clinic where the x-rays or MRI were performed and ask how my office can view the actual images. Most clinics now provide online image access, so please ask for the access code, sharing code, or portal instructions and bring those details with you. Some clinics still provide images on a CD or DVD; if that is how your clinic shares images, bring the disc. Clinics generally no longer print x-ray films.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral?

Yes. Orthopaedic consultations require a referral. Self-referrals are not part of the usual Canadian health care process.

How are hip or knee replacement referrals sent?

For possible hip or knee replacement, the family doctor or nurse practitioner should refer through the regional Musculoskeletal Central Intake and Assessment Centre. At the assessment clinic, patients may choose their surgeon.

Can non-joint replacement problems be referred directly?

Yes. For non-joint replacement orthopaedic problems, a family doctor or other physician may fax a referral directly to this office.

Is the radiology report enough?

No. The report is helpful, but Dr. Jaroszynski needs to review the actual x-ray or MRI images. Please bring online image access codes, portal instructions, or a CD/DVD if that is how the imaging clinic provides the images.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Bring your health card, a list of medications and allergies, a list of questions, and access to your actual imaging. If the imaging clinic uses online access, bring the access code or sharing instructions.

Reference