Australians getting unnecessary knee scans leading to avoidable surgery
Knee imaging has surged. Clinical guidelines show exercise and weight management work better than scans and surgery for osteoarthritis.
Medicare-funded knee scans have jumped sharply in Australia. Over just five years, CT scans increased 83 per cent and ultrasounds increased 26 per cent, both among Australians over 45.
About 1.9 million Australians live with knee osteoarthritis. Clinical guidelines from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care show imaging isn't needed to diagnose the condition.
Exercise and weight management work best for most people. Unnecessary scans cause anxiety and often lead to surgery that doesn't improve outcomes.
Radiologist Dr John de Campo said scans give patients a list of findings that probably aren't causing their pain. Knee replacements rose 17 per cent since 2013.
A 276 per cent increase is expected by 2030.
- 83 percent over five years
- CT scan increase
- 1.9 million
- Australians with knee osteoarthritis
- 17 percent
- Knee replacement increase since 2013
- 276 percent
- Expected increase by 2030
Why it mattersUnnecessary surgery is expensive, risky and ineffective. Most knee osteoarthritis responds better to exercise than the operating theatre.
AustraliaAffects 1.9 million Australians with knee osteoarthritis who may be offered unnecessary surgery; could cut healthcare costs and patient suffering if imaging drops.
