Joint Action

This week on Joint Action, we explore the potential of natural ingredients in relieving knee osteoarthritis pain. We start with a short introduction to the ATLAS study, a clinical trial by Professor David Hunter and a team of researchers at The University of Sydney. The ATLAS study is testing a groundbreaking supplement combining curcumin, boswellia serrata extract, and more. Can this blend offer pain relief for people with knee osteoarthritis? To learn more or be part of the study, visit: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/atlas-study-overviewTo help unravel the complexities of supplements and complementary medicines for osteoarthritis, we welcome Dr. Joanna Harnett, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Pharmacy. Dr. Harnett discusses the most commonly used supplements for osteoarthritis, the evidence supporting their use, and important safety considerations. She also provides practical advice on selecting the right complementary medicine and emphasizes the importance of consulting healthcare providers.Whether you're curious about natural supplements or looking for guidance on managing osteoarthritis, this episode offers valuable insights to help you make informed decisions. RESOURCESATLAS study: www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/atlas-study-overview Journal articlesWhich supplements can I recommend to my osteoarthritis patients?Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysisManaging Dietary Supplements and Complementary Medicines in Osteoarthritis CONNECT WITH USTwitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgEmail: hello@jointaction.infoWebsite: www.jointaction.info/podcast

In this episode of the Joint Action podcast, we explore how injuries to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the knee can lead to osteoarthritis, especially in young people aged 15-25. Did you know that up to 20% of people who develop knee osteoarthritis do so because of a past injury? ACL injuries are a major culprit, and their impact can be life-changing. We chat with Dr Andrew Ross, a physiotherapist and researcher, and Associate Prof Chris Schilling, a health economist, about how we can prevent these injuries in the first place. They share insights from recent studies showing that national injury prevention programs could save millions in healthcare costs, improve quality of life, and keep more people active in sports for longer. We also discuss the challenges of getting these programs off the ground and why they’re so crucial - not just for individual athletes but for society as a whole. If you’re interested in how we can better protect our knees and prevent osteoarthritis, this episode is a must-listen! RESOURCESPrevious episodes Knee injury and osteoarthritis with Tim HewettIs osteoarthritis preventable? with Dr Jackie Whittaker ProgramsPerform+FIFA 11+ ProgramGLAD Australia PapersThe economics of a national anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program for amateur football players: a Markov model analysisThe time is right to do more to reduce ACL injuries CONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info

On this week's episode of the Joint Action podcast, we dive into a critical aspect of osteoarthritis care: pain management. Dr Stefan Ivanavicius and Dr Sarah Kennedy join us to unravel why pain remains an unmet need in osteoarthritis. They shed light on the complexity of pain, influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. We explore different pain types and why current treatments fall short, highlighting the need for personalised care.We'll also take you through the journey of drug development, from preclinical to clinical trials, revealing why it takes years and billions of dollars to bring a new pain management drug to market.Tune in as we discuss innovations on the horizon, the hope for targeted treatments, and the collaborative efforts driving advancements in osteoarthritis care. Whether you're living with osteoarthritis or interested in the science behind pain management, this episode is packed with insights and optimism for the future.RESOURCESPrevious episodes New insights into osteoarthritis pain with Prof Nidhi SofatWhere does osteoarthritis pain come from ? with Prof Anne-Marie Malfait CONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info

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. RESOURCESJournal articlesOld Before Their Time? The Impact of Osteoarthritis on Younger Adults - PubMed (nih.gov) CONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info

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.RESOURCESJournal 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.auCONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info

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.RESOURCESJournal article:Can we achieve pain stratification in musculoskeletal conditions? Implications for clinical practicePrevious episodes:Why does my knee hurt with Dr. Jason McDougallWhere does osteoarthritis pain come from ? with Prof Anne-Marie MalfaitCONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info

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.RESOURCESThe Osteoarthritis Health Professional Training ManualClinical Yarning: www.clinicalyarning.orgStaying Strong with Osteoarthritis: www.stayingstrongwitharthritis.org.auJournal 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 OsteoarthritisCONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info

Metabolism plays an important role in our day to day lives. Our metabolism changes over time as we age, with conditions such as osteoarthritis and in people who are above a healthy weight. The study of the small molecules chemicals in biological samples or the study of metabolomics is an emerging field in research. On this week's episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Ron June and Hope Welhaven to discuss the role of the metabolome in osteoarthritis. Dr Ron June is a Professor and bioengineer based at Montana State University, USA. His research interests include osteoarthritis and biomechanics. He also recently founded a company, OpenBioWorks, seeking to provide commercial metabolomic profiling services.Dr Hope Welhaven’s research focusses on investigating the metabolism of musculoskeletal tissues during times of health and disease, such as osteoarthritis. She uses mass spectrometry-based techniques including metabolomics and imaging to identify and examine metabolic mechanisms involved in disease progression. RESOURCESJournal articles·     The metabolome of individuals with knee osteoarthritis is influenced by 18-months of an exercise and weight loss intervention and sex: the IDEA trialCONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info

Learn more about what happens during the history taking and physical examination components of getting your osteoarthritis diagnosed.RESOURCESThe Osteoarthritis Health Professional Training ManualMSK Physical Examination of the KneeMSK Physical Examination of the HipMSK Physical Examination of the HandCONNECT WITH USTwitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: hello@jointaction.info