Ever wonder if the weather really impacts your joint pain? If you've ever felt like cold, damp days make your knees ache more, you're not alone - many people with osteoarthritis believe there's a strong link between weather and joint pain. But is there really a connection?

In this episode of the Joint Action Podcast, we're joined by Professor Manuela Ferreira, a leading clinician scientist in musculoskeletal health, to dig into this fascinating topic. We explore whether there's any scientific basis for the weather-pain connection, and why you might feel more joint symptoms during certain weather conditions. Professor Ferreira shares insights from her research and provides practical advice on managing joint pain - whether it's a hot, humid day or a freezing winter morning.

Join us as we disentangle the myths from the facts and provide clarity on what you can do to manage your symptoms better. Tune in to find out if the weather really is to blame for your aching joints!

RESOURCES

Have a question about osteoarthritis that you'd like answered? Send your question to osteoarthritis.research@sydney.edu.au by 16th December 2024 for a chance to have it featured in the final episode for 2024.

Articles

• No, your aches and pains don’t get worse in the cold. So why do we think they do?
• Come rain or shine: Is weather a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review with meta-analysis of case-crossover studies

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.

This week, we dive into the pressing need to shift osteoarthritis management away from costly, invasive procedures like knee replacements toward more accessible, non-surgical treatments. Professor Ilana Ackerman from Monash University joins us to discuss why lifestyle changes - exercise, diet, and education - should be the first line of care, backed by compelling research that shows these approaches can delay or even avoid the need for surgery. Yet, despite the evidence, reimbursement for these programs remains limited, and many patients end up with surgeries they might not truly need.

We explore the financial and health system benefits of funding non-surgical programs, which could save the Australian healthcare system hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This episode is a call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and anyone impacted by osteoarthritis to advocate for better access to preventive care.

Tune in to learn how empowering patients with non-surgical options can lead to better outcomes, substantial cost savings, and a more personalised path for managing osteoarthritis.

RESOURCES

Previous episodes

• The volume of joint replacement surgeries for osteoarthritis is not sustainable with Prof Ilana Ackerman, Season 3, Episode 13

Journal articles

• Lifetime Cost-Effectiveness of Structured Education and Exercise Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis in Australia
• Implementing a national first-line management program for moderate-severe knee osteoarthritis in Australia: A budget impact analysis focusing on knee replacement avoidance

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: hello@jointaction.info
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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

In this week's episode of Joint Action, we explore how the built environment - where you live, work, and move - impacts your likelihood of staying physically active while living with osteoarthritis. Our guest, Dr. Sarah Gebauer, a family physician and translational epidemiologist, discusses the concept of "walkability" and how access to sidewalks, parks, and public spaces can influence your ability to engage in physical activity. We also dive into the broader social determinants of health, including economic stability, social support networks, and neighborhood characteristics, and how these factors contribute to health disparities.

Join us as we uncover how small changes in your environment can lead to significant improvements in managing osteoarthritis and enhancing overall well-being.

RESOURCES

Journal articles

• Neighborhood Characteristics & Walking Behavior Among Adults with Arthritis: An NHIS Study - Pocha - Arthritis Care & Research - Wiley Online Library

CONNECT WITH US

• Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
• Instagram: @osteoarthritisresearchgroup
• Email: hello@jointaction.info
• Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

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