WAITING LIST CAN REDUCE THE REQUIREMENT FOR SURGERY. A REVIEW OF PATIENTS PLACED ON 18-MONTH KNEE ARTHROSCOPY WAITING LIST.

Abstract

Purpose of study: To assess the effect of 18-month waiting list, on the subsequent requirement of knee arthros-copy.

Materials and methods: Medical records of 310 patients with knee pain, who had been placed on the non-urgent arthroscopy waiting list in 2003, were assessed. Diagnoses and the grade of doctor placing the patients on the list were also noted. The percentages of patients undergoing surgery as planned, as well as of those being cancelled were looked at.

Results: 61% of patients underwent knee arthroscopy as planned. 12% considered their symptoms insignificant as to require operation. 11% wanted a later operation date because of personal reasons, 7% had their surgery privately or had been expedited through the waiting list scheme because of deterioration in their condition but remained on NHS waiting list, and 9% patients had their surgeries postponed because of other medical reasons.

Conclusion: For a group of patients having been placed on an 18-month waiting list for knee arthroscopy, 40% did not subsequently have surgery within the NHS setting, as planned initially.