The health department has withdrawn recent advice concerning allied health professionals with limited registration and pain management services in aged care while it consults with the sector.

The National Osteoarthritis (OA) Strategy was unveiled at the OA Summit in Canberra today, with the aim of combatting the soaring rates of OA in Australia and providing cost effective, evidence-based solutions for the more than 2.2 million Australians living with the debilitating condition.

A leading osteoarthritis expert says too often patients receive fragmented and inappropriate care to manage their damaged joints. Professor David Hunter is leading a national strategy to significantly improve the way patients with osteoarthritis are managed. 

DURING last month's World Arthritis Day, the Australian Physiotherapy Association called for increased treatment access for sufferers. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease, and one of the leading causes of pain and disability in Australia.

A new educational topic on low back pain from NPS MedicineWise could reframe the role of imaging in diagnosing non-specific low back pain, providing practice tips on how to manage consumer beliefs and expectations.

Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 2.1 million Australians.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating and painful condition affecting more than 2.2 million Australians at a cost to the health system of $2.1 billion annually. As Australia’s population ages and obesity rates climb, this figure is expected to grow to more than 3 million by 2030¹.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating and painful condition affecting more than 2.2 million Australians at a cost to the health system of $2.1 billion annually. As Australia’s population ages and obesity rates climb, this figure is expected to grow to more than 3 million by 2030.

Arthritis costs the Australian economy $23.9 billion annually, and is the major cause of chronic pain and disability in Australia. However, patients living remotely and those with mobility issues cannot access Medicare or private health insurance rebates for video consultation with their physiotherapist, despite growing evidence that digital health treatment options are effective. On World Arthritis Day, Friday 12 October, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling for increased treatment access for sufferers.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association says a lack of funds is preventing arthritis sufferers in the country — whose treatment costs $23.9 billion every year — from being treated with digital health options which have been found to be effective.