Mind & Body

86% of osteoarthritis patients in the UK are told to take painkillers by their physicians, rather than being given information about treatment options that could alleviate their long-term pain1, a new survey conducted by ICM Research and funded by Genzyme highlights today.

Not given information

The survey, conducted amongst 404 people with chronic osteoarthritis of the knee, highlighted that less than half (46%) of the patients surveyed felt they were given a full range of treatment options at the time of diagnosis, whilst only half of patients (49%) were given weight control and exercise advice – both of which are key recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians’ Guidelines for care and management of osteoarthritis patients. Meanwhile, 61% of survey respondents were concerned about the long-term effects of taking non-prescription painkillers.

“Although pain medication has a place when treating acute flare-ups within chronic conditions, it shouldn’t be the only option given to osteoarthritis patients”, says Mr Raghu Raman, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Hull Royal Infirmary. “Taking over-the-counter pain medication for a long time can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. It is vital that patients are aware of longer-term solutions that will give them back their quality of life.”

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease3, affecting eight and a half million people in the UK. It causes pain and stiffness in the joints, with the knee joint being one of the most commonly affected. The condition generally gets worse over time, but acute forms of the disease can cause disability and deformation very quickly. There is no cure.

Managing the pain

Jo Cumming, Arthritis Care’s helplines manager, said: ‘While the report indicates that GPs are following some of the first-level NICE guidance by prescribing pain killers, people really should be told what they can do to help themselves by doing appropriate exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. The increasing emphasis on person-centred care in the NHS provides an important opportunity for refocusing services around individual needs, and we hope reports such as this will highlight the needs of people living with OA.’

Joint replacements are not always an option

Most of the patients surveyed (77%) are of working age (between 25 and 64), and therefore are unlikely to be eligible for knee replacement surgery as replacement joints typically last for 15-20 years.

Improving mobility

“It is incredibly important to keep osteoarthritis patients mobile and active for as long as possible, particularly those of working age,” says Mr Raman. “Effective pain management through medication and other treatments and procedures may be their only salvation, and I would encourage patients to seek the necessary information from their physicians about the treatments available.”

What treatments are out there?

There is a large range of alternative treatment options available for osteoarthritis. It ranges from braces and insoles to TENS, physiotherapy and viscosupplementation, a procedure that lubricates the joints and could significantly reduce pain for up to 12 months.

Where to go for help

For information and support on living with osteoarthritis, people can contact Arthritis Care’s Helplines on 0808 800 4050 or email Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk to speak with someone in confidence.

Check out the web site www.arthritiscare.org.uk