Topic overview
In brief
- Richard Littlejohn underwent a knee treatment in July that cost £2,700.
- The treatment is not yet approved by the NHS, despite being available in Canada and Europe.
- If approved, the NHS could save millions and reduce patient waiting times for knee surgeries.
Summary
In the United Kingdom, Richard Littlejohn recently underwent a knee treatment that has not yet been approved by the National Health Service (NHS). This treatment, which he received in July, was prompted by a debilitating knee condition that had worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Littlejohn had been managing his condition for six years with exercise and steroid injections, but these methods became increasingly ineffective. After learning about a new treatment available in London, he decided to pursue it, resulting in a quick procedure that left him pain-free for the first time in years.
The treatment, which cost him £2,700, is already available in Canada and across Europe, where thousands of patients have benefited from it. Littlejohn expressed concern that not everyone can afford such a treatment, especially given the long waiting lists for knee surgeries in the UK. He noted that in his area, there is currently a one-year waiting list for knee replacement operations, which can be invasive and require significant recovery time.