Doctors advised to consider exercise before surgery
The Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) is urging GP’s to consider alternative therapies, such as exercise therapy, weight loss or other lifestyle changes, before arthroscopy for knee OA.
This comes as the ARA releases recommendations as part of the Evolve Initiative, aimed at reducing common clinical practices that have little medical benefit or even cause harm.
Arthroscopes were a largely accepted treatment strategy for knee OA and changes to clinical practice will take time, however the number arthroscopes performed has diminished over the last fours years, to levels not seen since the early 2000’s.
For the full article, follow this link to The Age website.
Interested in alternatives for knee or hip OA? visit our locations page for details of your nearest GLA:D certified clinic.
Everything you ever wanted to know about osteoarthritis
The Health Report, presented by Dr Norman Swan, covers a wide range of health related topics in his Podcast hosted by the ABC.
In this recent Podcast he discuss osteoarthritis with one of Australia’s leading osteoarthritis specialists, Professor David Hunter, a Rheumatologist from the University of Sydney, covering everything you ever wanted to know about osteoarthritis.
Recommended for anyone suffering from osteoarthritis or anyone treating patients suffering from osteoarthritis.
Audio retrieved from: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-osteoarthritis/8664218
Knee arthroscopy gaining the wrong kind of attention!
Doctors and medical researchers have known for years that knee arthroscopies are not useful for patients suffering knee osteoarthritis (OA), yet a total of 30,000 were preformed in 2014-15.
Now, thanks to the a report commissioned by the Australian government – Shifting The Dial, knee arthroscopies have gained attention as they don’t pass a cost-effectiveness test, as well as not helping patients!
For more info, click here
But, if we stop surgeons from offering so many arthroscopies for knee OA, what can patients do instead? The answer – GLA:D, an evidence based, cost-effective, treatment option!
