Arthritis: Is exercise the solution to rising costs?

Media release | Physiotherapy New Zealand

Arthritis: Is exercise the solution to rising costs?

Physios are pointing to the increasing amount of research showing the cost-effectiveness of exercise interventions for arthritis patients after a recent report(1) revealed musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis cost the country $5.5 billion every year.

Physiotherapy New Zealand President Gill Stotter says surgery is the most expensive solution and that surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee and hips are significant health sector costs.

The value of structured exercise programmes for people suffering from osteoarthritis has been well established(2). A systematic review published in the international journal Value in Health(3) comparing exercise with medicine and surgery interventions showed that exercise interventions resulted in better health outcomes at a lower cost for those with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

“An exercise intervention by a physio can reduce their pain, the need for medicine and can help people avoid surgery – and anyone suffering from arthritis needs to be aware of this,” says Ms Stotter.

“People with inflamed joints may wince at the idea of exercise. But a physio can help you work out your limits and develop a plan to gradually increase what you can do.”

Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability in New Zealand and the second largest category resulting in sickness and invalid benefits.

Physiotherapy New Zealand and Arthritis New Zealand have produced a free exercise guide for arthritis sufferers; the guide shows simple exercises that can be done sitting, standing or lying down – depending on the person’s level of movement.

Visit physiotherapy.org.nz to download the guide, or to find a physio near you.

Free guide: Exercises to keep you moving

Exercising can help reduce joint pain and stiffness, improve flexibility and range of movement and help you manage pain. Download a free guide on suitable exercises for those with arthritis by visiting physiotherapy.org.nz/arthritis.

ENDS

References:
1. Fit for Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders and the New Zealand Labour Market.
Download the full report: http://www.physiotherapy.org.nz/Story?Action=View&Story_id=3462
2. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus
Guidelines. http://www.oarsi.org/pdfs/part_II_OARSI_recommendations_for_management_of_hipknee_OA_2007.pdf
3. Value in Health. Cost-effectiveness of non pharmacologic, non surgical interventions for hip and/or knee osteoarthritis: systematic review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22264966

About Physiotherapy New Zealand
We are a national membership organization providing advocacy, information and services to more than 3,000 physiotherapists in New Zealand, www.physiotherapy.org.nz.

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