EFFICACY OF SERVICE PROVISION OF VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A DEDICATED ORTHOPAEDIC SERVICE WITHIN A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Summary StatementThis study assesses the service provision of viscosupplementation within an NHS (British National Health System) hospital. The results of this study show long term efficacy of the treatment, when provided by a dedicated, orthopaedic unit.IntroductionThe service provision of viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis within the National Health System (NHS) remains controversial. The treatment was recommended in the 2007 NICE guidelines but support was withdrawn the following year. Furthermore, whether it should be provided by orthopaedic surgeons or in primary care is also a matter of debate. St Helens and Knowsley Trust, runs an orthopaedic outpatient clinic dedicated to the administration of viscosupplementation to patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. This study aims to assess the efficacy of viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis when that is provided by a highly specialised, orthopaedic, dedicated servicePatients and MethodsBetween January 2011 and June 2011, 103 patients ...