Orthopaedics – Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery used to examine or carry out procedures inside the knee joint using small instruments and a camera. There is currently no harmonised Central East ICB clinical policy. Local area policies transferred to Central East ICB are available where these exist.

Clinical policies aim to prevent avoidable harm to patients by only offering treatments on the NHS that are evidence-based, clinically safe and effective, as well as cost effective and a good use of resources.

Information:

Currently there is not a single clinical policy for knee arthroscopy, that applies to people across the whole Central East area.

Where a legacy Integrated Care Board (ICB) had an agreed clinical policy on knee arthroscopy, this policy transferred to Central East ICB on 1 April 2026. Previously agreed policies will continue to apply only to people living in that former ICB’s area until any new policy is adopted by NHS Central East ICB.

Where an area doesn’t have a previously agreed policy on knee arthroscopy, support for patients in that area will be based on a routine commissioning pathway.

Local clinical policy positions for knee arthroscopy

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

Knee arthroscopic surgery BLMK policy v3.0

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Knee Arthroscopy C&P Policy

Hertfordshire and West Essex

Knee arthroscopy for patients with osteoarthritis v1.0 January 2025