Can joint replacements reduce pain, help you move more - and live longer? In this week's podcast episode, we explore the untold benefits of hip and knee replacements beyond pain relief. Dr Tim Lindsay, clinician and researcher at Imperial College London, joins us to share insights from large-scale studies that show how joint replacement can restore physical activity levels and potentially reduce premature mortality. We also discuss why recovery takes time, how expectations should be managed, and what patients can realistically achieve after surgery. If you're considering joint replacement or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers evidence-based clarity and hope.

RESOURCES

ARTICLES

• Device-Measured Physical Activity in 3506 Individuals with Knee or Hip Arthroplasty: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38109175
• Wearable device measured physical activity and future health risk: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-1012-3

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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In this episode of Joint Action, Professor David Hunter is joined by Dr. Bruno da Costa, Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Toronto and Senior Scientist at the University of Oxford, to unpack the evidence behind injections for osteoarthritis.

Dr. da Costa shares insights from his recent systematic review and network meta-analysis of clinical trials, revealing just how limited - and at times unreliable - the evidence is for many joint injection therapies.

This episode explores:

• Which injections (if any) offer real benefit - and for how long
• The surprising extent of bias in osteoarthritis trials
• Why some results may not be as credible as they seem
• The role of placebo effects and commercial influence
• What this means for people living with osteoarthritis

If you’ve ever considered injection therapy, this episode will help you sort fact from fiction.

RESOURCES

• S04E10 - Care for an oil change? The role of viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis wit Dr Bruno da Costa: https://www.jointaction.info/podcast/episode/6cda642b/care-for-an-oil-change-the-role-of-viscosupplementation-for-osteoarthritis-with-dr-bruno-da-costa
• Infographic - How effective are intra-articular interventions for osteoarthritis?: https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/s/0225-Clinical-Editors-Choice.png
• Article - Effectiveness and safety of intra-articular interventions for knee and hip osteoarthritis based on large randomized trials: A systematic review and network meta-analysis: https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(24)01389-X/fulltext

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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

For too long, people living with osteoarthritis have felt powerless - like there’s nothing they can do to influence change. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In this powerful episode, Prof. David Hunter is joined by Louise Hardy, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Arthritis Australia, to explore how individuals can use their voice to drive meaningful change - especially in the lead-up to the Australian federal election.

Louise shares practical ways you can support better care, fairer funding, and more accessible services for the 7 million Australians living with arthritis. They discuss the importance of community-led advocacy, out-of-pocket costs, gaps in clinical care, and how you can be part of the solution, today.

Whether you live in Australia or abroad, this episode offers a roadmap for how your voice can make a difference - starting now.

RESOURCES

• Take action by emailing your local MP via the Arthritis Australia microsite: https://arthritisaus.good.do/election25/Act-Now-25/
• Join the Arthritis Australia Champions program: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/get-involved/arthritis-champions/
• Learn more about Arthritis Australia initiatives: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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

MRIs are increasingly used to detect early signs of osteoarthritis - but are they truly beneficial for most people? On this week's episode, we examine the role of MRI scans in diagnosing knee osteoarthritis, particularly in its early stages. Joined by leading experts Dr. Alison Chang, a professor of Physical Therapy at Northwestern University, and Dr. Ali Guermazi, a Radiology professor at Boston University, we explore the genuine value of MRIs. Our discussion highlights when these imaging tests can be helpful and when they might lead to unnecessary interventions. We also discuss why many MRI-detected changes don't actually progress into osteoarthritis and share practical advice for effectively managing knee health.

Tune in for an evidence-based conversation to understand when MRIs truly add value - and when they may not.

RESOURCES

• Learn more about the frequency of MRI-detected structural abnormalities in healthy, pain-free individuals: https://x.com/OACJournal/status/1843050098579943647
• View the diagram illustrating Alison Chang’s 'inverted-U curve' concept of how activity levels relate to body capacity: Capacity vs. Load graphs_Dr Alison Chang.pdf

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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

What if you could know your risk of developing osteoarthritis years before symptoms appear? In this episode, we explore whether a blood test could provide those answers.

Joining us on this week's episode is Dr. Virginia Kraus, a leading rheumatologist and researcher, to discuss her study that identified osteoarthritis risk up to 10 years in advance with 77% accuracy. We unpack what this means for early detection, the role of inflammation in disease progression, and how this research could shape future treatment and prevention strategies.

Tune in to find out what the future of osteoarthritis detection could look like.

RESOURCES

• The MOST Study: www.bumc.bu.edu/rheumatology/research/clinical-trials/the-multicenter-osteoarthritis-study-most/
• CANTOS Trial: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1707914

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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

In this special episode of Joint Action, host Professor David Hunter brings together the most valuable insights from over 100 episodes, creating a practical guide to understanding and managing osteoarthritis. By summarising years of expert advice, groundbreaking research, and real-world strategies, this episode makes it easy to access the latest information on osteoarthritis in one comprehensive discussion.

Key topics include:

• What osteoarthritis is, what causes it, and who it affects
• The role of exercise in reducing pain and improving mobility
• How diet impacts joint health, inflammation, and overall well-being
• Evidence on supplements, medications, and emerging therapies
• When surgery is appropriate and what options are available
• Holistic approaches to address both physical and emotional challenges

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing osteoarthritis for years, or looking to prevent it, this episode provides essential, evidence-based insights to improve your quality of life.

RESOURCES

Joint Action Care Supplements: https://jointactioncare.com/

The ATLAS Study: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/atlas-study-overview

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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

Join us for a unique and inspiring episode of the Joint Action podcast, where we step into a stylised clinical encounter between Professor Shannon Mihalko, acting as the clinician, and Tom Buttel, the patient. Together, they delve into the realities of living with osteoarthritis, sharing powerful insights into overcoming challenges, setting meaningful goals, and adopting holistic management strategies.

From the importance of building a strong relationship with your healthcare team to Tom's personal tips for staying active, managing pain, and fostering self-compassion, this episode is packed with practical advice and relatable moments. Whether you're looking to better manage your joint health or simply find inspiration in someone else's journey, this conversation is not to be missed. Tune in and discover how small, sustainable changes can lead to lasting health benefits.

RESOURCES

• The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study (TOPS study): www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/tops-study-overview

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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