Musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) conditions are the single most common cause of chronic disability and one of the most expensive to treat. The global burden of MSK diseases has increased by 25 percent over the past decade. The musculoskeletal conditions that have the largest economic and personal burden are immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and osteoarthritis (OA). IMIDs affect over 5% of the population and result in joint damage, physical disability and reduced life expectancy. While not as aggressive, OA presents a wider challenge: worldwide estimates of OA indicate that one in ten men and one in five women aged over 60 have symptomatic OA and treatment options remain poor. The prevalence of OA will increase with changing ageing and obesity rates, with an expected increase in joint replacement surgery in younger people who will subsequently be living longer with their replacements, requiring thought to be placed on how we can sustain 50 active years after 50®.
While research has established that exercise is key in reducing symptoms, long-term damage and the impact of multi-morbidities, two main issues are evident in people with joint pain. First, in those with IMIDs, health professionals have been responsible for providing confusing advice aimed avoiding exercising and activity. While this has been driven by the premise of avoiding long term harm, it has resulted in both physical and psychosocial impact. Second, while people may understand the importance of exercise for long term benefit for preventing and reducing symptoms in OA, promoting exercise adherence and activity adoption remains the key clinical challenge.
This presentation will provide an overview of the benefits of exercise, strategies which are aimed at promoting accurate information sharing, exercise adherence and activity engagement for those with joint pain.