Joint Action

Traditionally, osteoarthritis has been thought to be a non-inflammatory disease. However, we now know that inflammation plays a critical role in the development of OA in the joint and synovium. Synovitis, the inflammation of the synovial membrane is a classic characteristic of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis but is now being seen in many people with OA. The presence of inflammation in the joint is thought to play a role in the different pain experiences of OA and disease progression. Research into the inflammatory pathways of OA may lead to the development of targeted therapies.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dr Tom Appleton to discuss inflammation and its role in OA onset and progression.

Dr. Tom Appleton is Assistant Professor of Rheumatology and Clinician Scientist in the Department of Medicine, with cross-appointment to the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Program at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University.

 Dr. Appleton leads the Appleton lab which is focussed on understanding the role of synovium in the onset and progression of OA. His ongoing research is aimed at understanding the pathophysiology of synovial cell types involved in OA-associated synovitis and how these mechanisms contribute to OA symptoms and disease progression.

RESOURCES

• Synovial tissue perivascular edema is associated with altered gait patterns in patients with knee osteoarthritis
• Synovitis Is Associated With Constant Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-sectional Study of OMERACT Knee Ultrasound Scores
• Transient anabolic effects of synovium in early post-traumatic osteoarthritis: a novel ex vivo joint tissue co-culture system for investigating synovium-chondrocyte interactions

CONNECT WITH TOM

• Twitter: @appletonlab
• Website: Appleton Lab

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exercise and education are recommended treatments for knee osteoarthritis. To date, there have been over 100 clinical trials demonstrating the beneficial effects of exercise for knee osteoarthritis compared to no-treatment control groups. This has resulted in strong recommendations for exercise as a primary management strategy for knee OA. The comparison of exercise to a no-treatment control introduces multiple biases. One option to overcome this is to compare exercise to a placebo treatment such as salt-water injections. A recently published paper compared an 8-week exercise and education program to 4 placebo salt-water injections in 206 adults with knee osteoarthritis. On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Marius Henriksen to discuss the results of his study.

Professor Marius Henriksen is a research physiotherapist and besides leading the Physiotherapy and Biomechanics research unit at The Parker Institute, he is also a professor of physiotherapy at Copenhagen University and the department of physical and occupational therapy at Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital. His research focuses on clinical effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions (in particular physiotherapy) with focus on pain and disability across a wide range of diseases.

RESOURCES

• Exercise and education versus saline injections for knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled equivalence trial

CONNECT WITH MARIUS

• Twitter: @henriksen_mh
• Website: http://www.parkerinst.dk/

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exercise, physical activity and education are the cornerstone treatments for osteoarthritis. However, despite their proven efficacy, they are difficult to maintain long-term. Behaviour change techniques, which are specific techniques such as goal-setting or monitoring that can help people stick to an OA management plan long-term. On this week’s episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dr Shannon Mihalko to discuss how we can use behaviour change techniques to stick to our diet and exercise routines.

Dr. Shannon Mihalko is a behavioral scientist whose research focuses on adherence and quality of life in adults with chronic disease, with a special interest in knee osteoarthritis and cancer populations. Specifically, her work examines determinants and consequences of behavior change and adherence, with a specific focus on building self-efficacy in older adults to engage in physical activity and healthy nutritional practices on their road to independence.

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That's a wrap for 2021! We will be back on January 17th with a brand new season.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss out on new episodes! We would also be very grateful if you could leave us a review :)

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We recently published the results from a large randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of platelet-rich plasma for knee osteoarthritis. On this episode, we are joined by Prof Kim Bennell to discuss the results of the study.

Prof Kim Bennell is a research physiotherapist and her current positions include Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor and Director of the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine (CHESM), in Physiotherapy at the School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, NHMRC Investigator Fellow (L2) and Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Translational Research in Musculoskeletal Pain. She leads a multidisciplinary team including people from physiotherapy, medicine, exercise science, podiatry and psychology. Kim’s research focuses on conservative non-drug management of musculoskeletal conditions particularly osteoarthritis with an emphasis on the role of exercise in both prevention and management.

RESOURCES

• Research paper: Effect of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma vs Placebo Injection on Pain and Medial Tibial Cartilage Volume in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis - The RESTORE Randomized Clinical Trial
• Editorial: Platelet-Rich Plasma for Osteoarthritis and Achilles Tendinitis

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

This is our last episode of the year, if you haven't already, please subscribe so you don't miss out on new episodes! We would also be very grateful if you could leave us a review :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living with a musculoskeletal condition such as arthritis is not easy. The associated symptoms such as pain and stiffness make everyday activities that once seemed easy, challenging. It is important that those living with arthritis are educated and empowered to make decisions about the management about their condition and healthcare. However, this is not always the case with studies showing that only one-third of patients seeking care for their osteoarthritis are satisfied with their treatment. Health care providers and their patients need to ensure that management of the condition is collaborative and that patients have the appropriate tools and skills to successfully manage their condition.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dawn Richards to discuss how patients can be empowered to take control of their condition.

Dawn completed a PhD (Analytical Chemistry) from the University of Alberta and has worked in a variety of roles during the past 20 years, however her diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis almost 15 years ago instigated a journey to intertwine her passion for science with making the most of her diagnosis. Dawn was more recently diagnosed (a year ago) with knee OA. As a patient advocate and volunteer, Dawn is Vice President of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and a member of The BMJ’s Patient Panel. She served as an IMHA Research Ambassador from 2014 - 2019 and was the first Patient Advisor of the Canadian Medical Association’s Wait Time Alliance. Dawn advocates for arthritis awareness, access to treatment, the importance of research and the inclusion of patients both in decision-making and as research collaborators.

RESOURCES

• GLA:D Australia
• GLA:D Canada
• TREK education: manage my knee cap pain
• The BMJ: Motivational Interviewing
• Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers
• Australian Family Practice: Motivational interviewing techniques - facilitating behaviour change in the general practice setting

CONNECT WITH DAWN

Twitter: @TO_dpr

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The number of surgical procedures for musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis has increased exponentially over the past years, some of which are unnecessary and leave patients no better off than they were before. Knee replacement surgery can be a wonderful and cost-effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis but only when less invasive treatments have failed. There are many factors driving the alarming rates of increased surgery ranging from system-level factors such as inadequate reimbursement for physiotherapy treatment to personal-level factors such as individual beliefs and education of patients and their health care providers. Frequently referrals are made to surgeons as primary care doctors feel there is nothing more they can do. If you are referred it is important to be prepared for what that consultation will involve and to consider whether you truly want/ need surgery.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dr Howard Luks to discuss this topic.

Dr. Howard Luks is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine specialist. Howard graduated from New York Medical College and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency in 1996 and a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in NYC in 1997. His focus is on injuries that involve the shoulder, knee, and elbow. He is the Chief of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at New York Medical College and Advanced Physician Services.

CONNECT WITH HOWARD

Twitter: @hjluks

Website: https://www.howardluksmd.com/

Podcast: https://www.howardluksmd.com/podcast/the-paul-and-howard-show/

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although research has consistently demonstrated what is required to manage osteoarthritis appropriately, this is not the reality experienced by most. The current treatment for osteoarthritis is often reactive, using treatments which are not beneficial and often harmful and expensive to patients.

The limitations in the current health system call for new models of osteoarthritis care to support ongoing symptom relief and self-management that are proactive and preventative. Re-engineering our health care system may be facilitated by considering how health professionals are paid. At present this is based on activity, with little heed paid to quality or outcome.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Kevin Cheng to discuss health system redesign and value based primary care in osteoarthritis.

Dr Kevin Cheng is an Australian-trained GP specialising in chronic disease management and integrated care. He trained at the University of WA, has a fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and a MBA from INSEAD in France. He has interests in lifestyle medicine, health system reform and data analytics in healthcare. Kevin has over 20 years experience as a doctor working in urban and rural areas in Australia, plus sabbaticals in Kenya, Hong Kong, and England as a clinician and in health policy. He has developed innovative programs for Governments, health insurers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. He is an industry expert in models of health care, population health management and chronic disease care. Kevin also worked for strategy consulting firms McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group, leading business transformations in public sector and private industries such as retail banking, manufacturing, mining, education, and technology. He is the founder of Osana, a general practice corporate.

CONNECT WITH KEVIN

• Website: https://osana.care/

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to shift how we deliver care to those living with osteoarthritis. There has been an increasing number of online resources including websites, decision aids, remotely delivered programs and podcasts such as Joint Action which have become increasingly popular in the past year. With the numerous resources available, how do we know which programs are suitable and evidence-based?

The OARSI Joint Effort Initiative is a collaboration between international clinicians and researchers with an interest in the implementation of OA management programs. Their aim is to improve overall care with a focus on core interventions such as education, exercise and weight management.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dr Jillian Eyles and Dr Jocelyn Bowden to discuss the OARSI Joint Effort Initiative and online resources for osteoarthritis.

RESOURCES

• LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OARSI JOINT EFFORT INITIATIVE
• Online Osteoarthritis Management Programs repository
• Joint Action website

OA consumer and consumer advocacy organisations

• Arthritis Australia
• Versus Arthritis (UK)
• Arthritis Society (Canada)
• Osteoarthritis Foundation International (Spain)
• Arthritis Foundation (USA)
• OA Action Alliance (USA)

Other organisations

• NPS MedicineWise: Knee and hip osteoarthritis. (Australia)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA): chronic disease Self-management program
• Joint Implementation of Osteoarthritis Guidelines Across Western-Europe (JIGSAW-E)
• Australian Heart Foundation

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Biological markers or commonly referred to as biomarkers are biological measures or medical signs which can be measured accurately and reproducibly in patients. Examples of biomarkers can be anything from pulse and blood pressure to more complex blood tests and other tissues. There are different types of biomarkers including systemic and molecular biomarkers and the investigation of these provide potential targets for developing osteoarthritis disease-modifying drugs.

On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Virginia Kraus to discuss the role of biomarkers in osteoarthritis and in particularly their role in drug development.

Virginia Kraus is a Professor of Medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. She is a practicing Rheumatologist with over 20 years experience in musculoskeletal research focusing on osteoarthritis. She is an adjunct Professor of Pathology and an adjunct Associate Professor of Surgery. Her career has focused on elucidating osteoarthritis pathogenesis and translational research into the discovery and validation of biomarkers for early osteoarthritis detection, prediction of progression, and monitoring of disease status.

Listen to Virginia and The Women's Voices Chorus here.

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.