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This is a summary of the NHS Devon commissioning policy for knee arthroscopy for patients with osteoarthritis
Arthroscopic knee washout (lavage and debridement) is not routinely commissioned in Devon as a treatment for osteoarthritis.
Referral for arthroscopic lavage and debridement should not be offered as part of treatment for osteoarthritis, unless the person has knee osteoarthritis with a clear history of mechanical locking.
More effective treatment includes exercise programmes, losing weight (if necessary) and managing pain. Osteoarthritis is relatively common in older age groups. Where symptoms do not resolve after non-operative treatment, referral for consideration of knee replacement, or joint preserving surgery such as osteotomy is appropriate.
Commissioning policy: Knee arthroscopy for patients with osteoarthritis
Where the circumstances of treatment for an individual patient do not meet the criteria described above exceptional funding can be sought. Individual cases will be reviewed by the appropriate panel of NHS Devon upon receipt of a completed application from the patient's GP, consultant or clinician. Applications cannot be considered from patients personally.
Queries and applications should be submitted by clinicians to the Individual Funding Request Panel via our generic email address: d-icb.ifr-newsdt@nhs.net
Exceptional /Individual Funding Requests (IFR).
Individual Funding Request (IFR)
Date of publication: 8th March 2019
This policy has been adopted from Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG
and South Devon and Torbay CCG by NHS Devon from 1 April 2019