Joint Action

In this episode, we dive into the often overlooked world of younger adults living with osteoarthritis. Associate Professor Anthony Perruccio joins us to explore why people develop osteoarthritis and the unique challenges faced by younger individuals with the disease. We discuss key risk factors such as age, sex, weight, genetics, prior joint injuries, and muscle strength.

Associate Professor Perruccio also sheds light on the delayed diagnosis in younger adults and the severe impact on their overall and mental health, life satisfaction, and the likelihood of having other chronic conditions. We examine how current diagnostic methodologies might be contributing to these delays and what needs to change.

This conversation highlights the importance of recognising osteoarthritis in younger populations and encourages proactive management and participation in research to improve outcomes. Tune in to learn more about the hidden struggles and how we can better support younger individuals with osteoarthritis.

RESOURCES

Journal articles

• Old Before Their Time? The Impact of Osteoarthritis on Younger Adults - PubMed (nih.gov)

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
• Email: [email protected]

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Join this week’s conversation with Dr Sam Bunzli which explores how health professionals can better understand and support people with osteoarthritis by moving beyond checklists and truly listening to their stories. We'll debunk common misconceptions about osteoarthritis, such as the belief that pain always means joint damage or that imaging is always necessary and provide evidence-based corrections.

We’ll also discuss the importance of culturally safe care and share resources for improving clinician communication. Finally, we’ll look at how empowering communication and providing the right information, skills, and resources can help individuals manage their osteoarthritis effectively.

Dr Sam Bunzli is a Senior Research Fellow in Physiotherapy who holds a conjoint position between the School of Health Sciences and Social Work at Griffith University and the Physiotherapy Department at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Queensland Australia.

In her program of osteoarthritis research, Dr Bunzli engages the voices of people with lived experience, their carers, and clinicians to advance person-centred communication and inform the design and implementation of interventions that meet their needs and preferences.

Tune in for valuable insights and practical advice on living well with osteoarthritis.

RESOURCES

• The Osteoarthritis Health Professional Training Manual
• Clinical Yarning: www.clinicalyarning.org
• Staying Strong with Osteoarthritis: www.stayingstrongwitharthritis.org.au
• Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physiotherapy (JOSPT):

Broken Machines or Active Bodies?

Part 1. Ways of Talking About Health and Why It Matters

Part 2: How People Talk About Osteoarthritis and Why Clinicians Need to Change the Conversation

Part 3: Five Recommendations to Shift the Way Clinicians Communicate With People Who Are Seeking Care for Osteoarthritis

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
• Email: [email protected]

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

In this week's episode, we explore how knee osteoarthritis affects the way people walk. Experts Dr. Kathryn Bacon and Associate Professor Deepak Kumar from Boston University explain that osteoarthritis impacts everyone differently, but common changes include walking slower, taking fewer steps per minute, and experiencing more muscle activity and pressure on certain parts of the knee. Join them as they reveal findings from one of their recent major studies, in which 2,500 participants wore sensors to track their walking patterns. Interestingly, the data from the study showed that changes in walking speed, step length, and symmetry can be linked to worsening pain and knee function over time.

Importantly, we also discuss how this research can help doctors understand osteoarthritis better and develop new ways to monitor and treat it, using simple sensors to track walking patterns in everyday life.

Tune in to learn more about how osteoarthritis impacts walking and the implications for future research and treatment.

RESOURCES

Journal articles

• Gait Alterations and Association With Worsening Knee Pain and Physical Function: A Machine Learning Approach With Wearable Sensors in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study - PubMed (nih.gov)

Website

• www.osteoarthritisclinicalresearchgroup.com.au

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
• Email: [email protected]

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

Join us on this week's episode as we delve into the complexities of osteoarthritis pain with Professor Nidhi Sofat. In this episode, we explore the sources of pain in osteoarthritis, from cartilage damage to synovitis and bone marrow lesions. Professor Sofat discusses groundbreaking research on the role of nerves and blood vessels in pain, the significance of bone and synovium in joint health, and the latest findings on gene expression and inflammation. We also cover the different types of pain - nociceptive, inflammatory, nociplastic, and neuropathic - and what this means for treatment. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or someone affected by osteoarthritis, this episode offers valuable insights into understanding and managing this common yet complex condition.

Nidhi Sofat is a Professor of Rheumatology at St George's, University of London, where she studies what causes pain and inflammation in diseases that affect muscles and joints. Her research takes a hands-on approach, bridging the gap between lab experiments and real-world medical applications.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the future of osteoarthritis research and discover how her team's innovative approaches may pave the way for future treatments in osteoarthritis.

RESOURCES

Journal article:

• Can we achieve pain stratification in musculoskeletal conditions? Implications for clinical practice

Previous episodes:

• Why does my knee hurt with Dr. Jason McDougall
• Where does osteoarthritis pain come from ? with Prof Anne-Marie Malfait

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
• Email: [email protected]

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

Menopause is often referred to as "the change" and remains a complex and sensitive topic for many. Despite being historically under-discussed, it's crucial to address because of its profound impact on musculoskeletal health. Women are two to three times more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis, particularly around menopause. Changes in hormones, such as declining estrogen, can affect cartilage, bone density, inflammation, muscle health, and body weight - factors closely linked to joint pain and osteoarthritis symptoms.

In this episode of the Joint Action Podcast, Dr. Ginny Mansberg, a GP and women's health expert, joins Prof. David Hunter to explore the intricate relationship between menopause and osteoarthritis. They discuss the physical and emotional challenges women face, including sleep disruption, weight gain, joint pain, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Dr. Mansberg shares valuable insights into how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and lifestyle strategies, including exercise, can help manage symptoms and improve long-term health outcomes.

Whether you're navigating menopause or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a compassionate, evidence-informed perspective on understanding and managing the journey.

RESOURCES

• Dr. Ginny Mansberg’s website: DrGini.com.au
• Dr. Ginny Mansberg's book - The M Word: How to Thrive in Menopause: https://drginni.com.au/products/the-m-word-how-to-thrive-in-menopause

CONNECT WITH US

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

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