Physiotherapists play an important role in osteoarthritis management. A good physiotherapist can aid in the reduction of OA symptoms, however, one major ongoing issue is the problem of low-value healthcare. Low value healthcare are treatments which broadly encompasses passive modalities such as interferential current, ultrasound, unnecessary imaging in favour of high value treatments such as exercise. Low value care can lead to treatments that provide little to no benefit or even harm to patients. On today’s episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Jack Chew to discuss high value and low value care in field of physiotherapy, specifically, what a good physiotherapist looks like and what can be done to move the health system in the direction of better quality.Jack Chew is founder of Chews Health in 2013 as a company for his clinical consultancy, offering second opinions to local sports clubs and teams whose therapists and coaches were struggling to mastermind the recovery of some of their key athletes. As his philosophy and methods spread across the Physio profession and MSK industry a consultancy network emerged and eventually Chews Health services were sought after enough to need a bespoke facility.Alongside his role as managing director of Chews Health, Jack hosts The Physio Matters Podcast – a monthly show which goes out to over 20,000 therapists and is the director of MSKReform – a non-profit think-tank which is tasked with improving the industry to reduce the unjust variations in care standards.CONNECT WITH JACKTwitter: @JackAChewWebsite: Chews Health websiteWebsite: MSKReform websitePodcast: The Physio Matters PodcastCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Osteoarthritis pain remains a large unmet clinical need. One common tool in the clinician’s armamentarium has been a steroid injection. They are widely used but recent evidence has questioned their efficacy for pain relief and potentially associated ongoing structural changes, including accelerating the underlying structural progression.  On this episode of Joint Action, we will hear from Ali Guermazi and Margreet Kloppenburg about the harms and benefits of steroid injections for osteoarthritis. Dr. Margreet Kloppenburg, MD PhD, is Professor of Rheumatology in the Department of Rheumatology at the Leiden University Medical Center. She is a rheumatologist and epidemiologist. Since 2000 she is appointed both at the departments of Rheumatology and of Clinical Epidemiology of the LUMC. Her research interest includes osteoarthritis with focus on two topics, 1) unravelling underlying pathways in development and progression of osteoarthritis, aimed at inflammatory, metabolic and genetic mechanisms, and 2) optimization of methodology to measure osteoarthritis symptoms and signs, to enable development of disease modifying drugs. She is PI of several cohorts and randomized clinical trials in patients with osteoarthritis. She uses imaging modalities, as radiography, ultrasonography and MR imaging and basic science tools, including immunohistochemistry and metabolomics to characterize and study osteoarthritis patients. She has special interest for hand osteoarthritis. Dr. Guermazi is a French board-certified radiologist. Dr. Guermazi’s interest is musculoskeletal diseases, in particular note are his scientific contributions in the diagnosis and disease progression assessment of osteoarthritis using MRI. His work has focused on identifying structural risk factors for developing and worsening osteoarthritis. He has been involved in developing several original and widely accepted radiological methods to assess osteoarthritis disease risk and progression, including the WORMS, BLOKS and MOAKS for the knee, HOAMS for the hip and fixed-flexion radiography for measuring joint space width. Dr. Guermazi has been involved as an MRI reader for the past 14 years in several large U.S. studies. He is author of over 275 peer-reviewed publications and Investigator on numerous research grants related to MRI reading for Osteoarthritis RESOURCESVideosOA summit debate series on steroid injections - video recordingMore Research Needed to Determine Safety of Hip and Knee Steroid InjectionsJournal articlesIntra-articular Corticosteroid Injections in the Hip and Knee: Perhaps Not as Safe as We Thought?Effects of Intensive Diet and Exercise on Knee Joint Loads, Inflammation, and Clinical Outcomes Among Overweight and Obese Adults With Knee OsteoarthritisThe IDEA Randomized Clinical TrialCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The way in which people talk about their osteoarthritis is varied and this is reflected in their attitudes towards health and healthcare. This provides great insight into what the condition means to patients but ultimately how they are able to cope and manage their symptoms. For example, using terms such as “wear and tear” or “worn out” often discourages patients to be actively involved in the management of their condition. Dr Samantha Bunzli joins us on this week’s episode of Joint Action to discuss how osteoarthritis is talked about by patients and clinicians and how this ultimately affects behaviour and management choices. Dr Bunzli is a physiotherapist who received her PhD in January 2016 from the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University. In her PhD she developed methodological expertise in qualitative research and content expertise in health beliefs, behaviour and clinical communication. Dr Bunzli is currently a post doctoral researcher at the University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital leading qualitative research within the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Total Joint Replacement: OPtimising oUtcomes, equity, cost effectiveness and patient Selection (OPUS).  RESOURCESLow back pain communication website CONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Orthobiologics such as platelet-rich-plasma, and stem cells have gained popularity as treatments for knee osteoarthritis over recent years. Orthobiologics are cells, blood components or growth factors which claim to promote healing and decrease inflammation. Platelet rich plasma and stem cell injections are an expensive treatment and there is a paucity of rigorous evidence to support the use of them in people with OA. On this episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Dr Brian Cole to unpack the controversial topic of osteoarthritis orthobiologics. Dr. Brian Cole is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and a Professor of Orthopaedics, Anatomy and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Cole is Managing Partner of Midwest Orthopaedics and is the Department’s Associate Chairman and the Section Head of the Cartilage Research and Restoration Center. He is the Chairman of Surgery at Rush Oak Park Hospital and leads the Rush Orthopedic Master’s Program. Dr. Cole is the 2020 President of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Dr. Cole’s research interests include Cartilage Restoration, therapeutic biologics and regenerative medicine, and minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of the knee, elbow, and shoulder. He has published more than 1,000 articles and 8 textbooks on orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, has lectured nationally and internationally on more than 2,000 occasions and has appeared as an expert on several TV documentaries.His professional career outside of academia includes serving as team physician for the Chicago Bulls, co-team physician for the Chicago White Sox, and a team physician for the Chicago Fire, Chicago Dogs, and DePaul University. He has served as co-host for 10 years on the radio talk-show Sports Medicine Weekly originally on ESPN and currently on 670TheScore – Chicago Sports Radio.RESOURCESSCulPTOR study investigating stem cell injections in persons with knee osteoarthritis in Sydney, Australia and Hobart, Tasmania. For more information and to check your eligibility, check out the website. CONNECT WITH BRIANTwitter: @BrianColeMDSports Medicine Weekly PodcastWebsite: https://www.briancolemd.com/CONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Joint Action podcast was launched in April 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic and since then, we have grown our listener base to an international audience. We aim to bring evidence based and up-to-date knowledge about osteoarthritis to our listeners by interviewing the world’s experts in osteoarthritis.  On this very special episode of Joint Action, we will be chatting to David to learn more about his story and also answer some of our listener questions. Professor Hunter is a rheumatology clinician researcher whose main research focus has been clinical and translational research in osteoarthritis. He is the Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology and Professor of Medicine at University of Sydney and the Royal North Shore Hospital. He is ranked as the world’s leading expert in osteoarthritis on Expertscape.com since 2014. Dr Hunter has over 500 peer reviewed publications in international journals, numerous book chapters, is the section editor for UpToDate Osteoarthritis and has co-authored a number of books, including books on self-management strategies for the lay public.RESOURCESInstitute of Bone and Joint Research Facebook pageJoint Action webpageCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg @vickyduongEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email :) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prevalence of osteoarthritis is increasing rapidly with the latest estimates suggesting 500 million people around the world are affected. The consequent disability and socioeconomic impact is an enormous. In that context of massive prevalence and disability we are faced with a disease where it’s most pressing presenting symptom, pain, remains largely an unmet need. With that background in mind there are huge opportunities here for advance.The Dutch Arthritis Society (DAS) has recently launched the moonshot: ‘In 2040 osteoarthritis will be no longer a chronic disease, but an acute disease’.On this episode of Joint Action, I discussed this project with Joyce Nabuurs and Corné Baatenburg de Jong and to look at research and development opportunities that are relevant to our international audience.Joyce Nabuurs recently joined the Dutch Arthritis Foundation after co-developing the organisation’s strategy 2020-2040 as a researcher at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. Being trained as a doctor, bioethicist and in the field of healthcare organisation she has studied health from a variety of perspectives. In her earlier work as a researcher at the Vrije Universiteit she investigated the societal implications of upcoming reproductive technologies, ranging from IVF to artificial gametes and the artificial womb. In her research she explored how these technological developments affect our ideas about child-rearing, what it means to be a family and the relation with our bodies. In her current role at the Dutch Arthritis Foundation she hopes to use this experience to identify and help realize promising opportunities that empower and support the health and wellbeing of people with arthritis. Corné Baatenburg de Jong is the Deputy Director and Manager of Operations and Funding at the Dutch Arthritis Foundation.He now has been working as the Vice President at ReumaNederland (former Reumafonds) for the past 6.5 years. His role focuses on drivers in the field of osteoarthritis, development of new opportunities, creating network solutions and patient-centered development. Corné completed his studies in Business Economics and Social Studies at the University of Utrecht. CONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One common misconception about osteoarthritis is that it is an old’s person disease. However, we know that osteoarthritis can affect younger persons as well. Meaghan Nixon is a martial artist who has practiced karate for over 20 years competing both nationally and internationally representing Australia. Career highlights include a silver medal in 2012 at the Shotokan Karate World Championships in Sydney and Captaining the Australian team at two world Championships. Meaghan has played a variety of competitive sports including soccer, baseball and most recently three seasons in the Sydney Women’s AFL competition. Throughout her career Meaghan has experienced a range of injuries and musculoskeletal issues such as gluteal tendinopathy, hip and ankle instability, knee misalignment aswell as undergoing an ACL reconstruction, shoulder reconstruction and a knee arthroscopy.RESOURCESOsteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life programCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The impact of osteoarthritis remains a major challenge for healthcare systems worldwide with approximately 528 million people affected. The global prevalence of hip and knee OA is approaching 5% and expected to increase further with the aging population. The increasing rates of obesity in adults, combined with lack of physical activity and joint injuries are also contributing to the rise in OA incidence. Osteoarthritis is a serious condition which has substantial implications on one’s day-to-day functioning. It is associated with other diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and back pain all of which leads to an increase in mortality. Dr. Gillian Hawker is Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, at the University of Toronto. She is active staff in Rheumatology at Women’s College Hospital, where she is a clinician-scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute. She is a senior scientist at the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and adjunct senior scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. In July 2014, she was appointed the Sir John and Lady Eaton Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto (U of T).RESOURCESOARSI white paper - osteoarthritis as a serious diseaseCONNECT WITH GILLIANTwitter: @UofTDoMChairEmail: g.hawker@utoronto.caCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Osteoarthritis places a large burden on the individuals that are affected as well is to society as a whole. It is important to reflect that that burden is not distributed equally. The prevalence of osteoarthritis is higher amongst women compared to men. Women also experience higher rates of disease severity and disability. In an effort to better understand these disparities with the overarching focus being to improve health outcomes for all it is important to understand the influence of sex and gender differences in osteoarthritis research and clinical care. Melissa Laitner, PhD, MPH is Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at the Society for Women’s Health Research, a Washington, D.C. based non-profit with a goal of improving health care for women through science, policy, and education. At SWHR, Laitner manages all regulatory and legislative efforts, transforming the work of SWHR’s scientific experts into tangible, evidence-based policy recommendations. Prior to joining SWHR, Laitner worked as an American Association for the Advancement of Science health policy fellow in the office of Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). In this role, she worked on a wide-ranging portfolio with an emphasis on matters related to CMS, FDA, prescription drugs, mental health, and topics relevant to health care transparency, costs, and coverage. Before entering the policy field, Laitner worked as a clinical health psychologist at a large academic medical center. She remains a licensed clinical psychologist in the District of Columbia.RESOURCESJournal articlesUnderstanding the Impact of Sex and Gender in Osteoarthritis: Assessing Research Gaps and Unmet NeedsCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite the large prevalence of osteoarthritis, there is no clinically approved drug which provides a cure. Currently, drugs focus on relieving symptoms such as pain. Experiments done in the laboratory have provided insight on osteoarthritis onset and progression and will likely guide therapeutic development.  We know that osteoarthritis is a disease of the whole organ meaning that any of the tissues involved in the synovial joint can be affected. The interplay between the various cell types involved is complex and understanding the interactions between cartilage, bone and synovium may be critical to therapeutic development. Skeletal development likely plays a very important role in predisposition to disease. Through the identification of serious pathologies such as various forms of dwarfism (what in medical terms are called chondrodysplasias) the role of transcription factors and epigenetics is increasing our understanding of disease genesis.The study of the epigenetics of OA - the mechanism by which the human genome alters it’s gene expression (without changing the primary DNA sequence) has provided valuable information on novel risk factors for the disease and are potential therapeutic targets for OA.  On today's show, Dr Frank Beier joins us to discuss the recent advances in osteoarthritis understanding with a particular emphasis on novel targets and epigenetics. Frank Beier is the Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Research at the University of Western Ontario and a member of Western’s Bone and Joint Institute. He is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. His lab explores mechanisms controlling cartilage and joint biology, using genetically engineered mice in combination with surgical, dietary and activity manipulations. This is a natural fit with the objectives of the Bone and Joint Institute, an environment that has helped to foster collaborations with fellow researchers from other fields such as clinicians (surgeons, rheumatologists) and imaging scientists. As an engaged member of the Institute’s Operations Committee, Dr. Beier sees value in Institute priorities that improve his training program and that support the acquisition of additional research funds. Dr. Beier has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and gave 100 invited presentations. His work is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (from which he won a foundation award in the inaugural competition in 2015) and The Arthritis Society. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International and several editorial boards, including the Deputy Editor for Osteoarthritis & Cartilage. He was the Chair of the 2017 Cartilage Gordon Conference and won the OARSI Basic Science award in 2019.  RESOURCESJournal articlesNuclear receptors as potential drug targets in osteoarthritisInterplay between genetics and epigenetics in osteoarthritisRecent developments in emerging therapeutic targets of osteoarthritisCONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.