Geographical variation in incidence of knee arthroscopy for patients with osteoarthritis: A population-based analysis of Victorian hospital separations data

Abstract

Background/Aim: To evaluate the frequency and geographical variation in knee arthroscopy for adults (>25 years) with a concomitant diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of hospital separations involving an elective knee arthroscopy in public and private hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Participants included patients receiving knee arthroscopies with a diagnosis code indicating osteoarthritis (OA) from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. Records were excluded if the patient was under 25 years or their arthroscopy involved a ligament reconstruction. Crude rates per 100000 population and negative binomial regression offset by total knee arthroscopy volume were us..