The Future for Osteoarthritis

Research into the treatment of OA is very active and has increased the understanding of this condition. New drugs are coming forward to control the pain symptoms. Some people with small contained areas of damage to the joint cartilage can have reconstruction of the defect and restoration of the articular surface by using areas of adjacent intact cartilage. This procedure is known as osteo-chondral transplantation. Alternately articular cartilage cells can be grown from the patient's own joint and subsequently used to repair the damaged joint articular surface. This technique is known as Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common and very troublesome disease affecting approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK. It is an inflammatory disease of joints. The aetiology and specific cause of the disease is unknown. However some trigger produced a reaction which causes inflammation of joint. This commonly affects the knee, hip, shoulder and hands. Swelling, weakness and deformity can in some cases be rapidly progressive and much more so than in osteoarthritis.

New drug therapies are available which can not only suppress the signs of the disease, reduce pain and maintain function of the joint. However arrest or suppression of the disease process itself is possible.

Useful links

Arthritis Care

Complementary Medicine Association

National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society
Ankylosing Spondylitis is one of the commonest arthritic diseases, especially amongst young men. Although not usually severely disabling, it can have a big effect on a person's life.

National Osteoporosis Society

Arthritis Research Campaign
The ARC is the fourth largest medical charity in the UK and had an annual income of £26m in 2001-2. It funds research into all the different kinds of arthritis and provides information for professionals and the public.

Arthritis Resources - Comprehensive information
A comprehensive site devoted to arthritis and degenerative joint disease.

www.allaboutarthritis.com

www.orthogate.org/patient-education/knee/viscosupplementation-for-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee.html

www.hss.edu

How to make an appointment

Contact us directly:
An appointment may be booked directly through Mrs Andrea Beaumont, Personal Assistant to Mr David P Johnson, by telephoning (44) 0117 970 6655 or via our
e-mail contact form.

Appointments by referral::
Where a referral is from your GP or physiotherapist a letter will usually be provided including the details of any previous treatment received or other relevant medical details.

Useful information to bring to your appointment:
It is helpful if any previous X-rays or scans which are available are brought to the consultation, and the general practitioner may wish to provide the details of previous treatment received and other medical conditions.

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