Knee Arthroscopy for Patients with Osteoarthritis

Threshold

Norfolk and Waveney ICB will fund arthroscopic washout (lavage) with or without debridement of the knee for patients who have osteoarthritis of the knee who have a clear history of mechanical locking.

Exclusions

This policy does not cover:

• Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee with other symptoms such as morning joint stiffness or ‘giving way’, or X-ray evidence of loose bodies, in the absence of mechanical locking
• Patients with ‘red flag’ conditions requiring further investigation or referral, such as suspected inflammatory arthritis, or symptoms or signs suggestive of tumour or infection

1 Recommendations | Arthroscopic knee washout, with or without debridement, for the treatment of osteoarthritis | Guidance | NICE

Cases for Individual Funding Consideration

On a case to case basis, patients might be eligible for surgical intervention, in consideration of their exceptionality. The requesting clinician must provide information to support the case for being considered an exception, by submitting an individual funding request.