SUNDAY APRIL 29 2007 

MAXIMISING MOBILITY WITH ARTHRITIS  

HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT - your questions answered 

from 6PM - 8:00PM (Melbourne time)

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare  - More than 6.1 million Australians are reported to have arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition. Most commonly reported conditions are back pain and various forms of arthritis. Almost 1.2 million of these are reported to have disability associated with their condition. In view of their large disease burden-the number of people affected and the high disability impact-Australian Health ministers declared arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions were declared a National Health Priority Area (NHPA) in July 2002

Pain and restriction of mobility associated with arthritis causes enormous debility to many in our community. There is support and treatment available but no cure exists. 

Medication and physiotherapy can be a huge help to many people but education about  preservation of mobility is vital. Many people are unaware how important it is to keep moving. The Arthritis Victoria slogan "move it or lose" it says it all and we will be looking at strategies for preserving mobility with guests from Arthritis support groups.

These days over 60 000 hip and knee joints are replaced in Australia each year. Once it was considered something that was only done as a last resort in old people but with improved techniques and understanding younger people with debilitating joint conditions are achieving new found mobility. However many people are unaware of whether these procedures apply to them and may be putting off having the procedure  because of fear and mis information. Tonight we will find out the facts about joint replacement and clear up the myths 

MY GUESTS ON THE PROGRAM 

Mr Richard de Steiger -  Orthopaedic Surgeon at Epworth Hospital and  Director of Orthopaedic Surgery at Royal Melbourne Hospital and Victorian Representative on Australian Orthopaedic Association Joint Replacement Registry Committee

Warren Kermond  - Iconic Australian Theatrical Performer and recipient of two new hip joints ! Currently touring with Topol in Fiddler on the Roof in New Zealand after fabulous  season in Australia 

Helen McLauchlan - Physical Activity Program Educator Arthritis Victoria 

Sheila -  a person living with Arthritis

 LINKS AND MORE INFO ON  

MY GUESTS ARTHRITIS AND JOINT REPLACEMENT 

Royal Melbourne Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery  - click HERE - 

Australian Orthopaedic Association Joint Replacement Registry - Click HERE  

 Patient information sheet  Joint replacement from  Arthritis Australia - Click HERE 

 Arthritis Victoria   Click HERE

 Fiddler on the Roof currently touring NZ  click HERE to read review  

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - article : Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Australia 2005 click HERE