Researchers at the Kolling Institute are encouraging those with osteoarthritis to rely on treatments with a proven track record and avoid quick fixes without the data to show they work.
The comments follow a steady rise in osteoarthritis cases nationally, with around three million Australians now living with the condition, and many forced to retire early.
The rise in cases has coincided with strong interest in injectable medications, particularly for knee osteoarthritis, such as hyaluronic acid, stem cells and platelet-rich plasma.
But Royal North Shore Hospital rheumatologist and world leading osteoarthritis researcher Professor David Hunter said there wasn’t the data to show these injections work.
“The hyaluronic acid injections are no better than a saltwater injection, but they will cost you a lot more, while we just don’t have good enough evidence for the stem cell injections or the platelet-rich plasma,” said the University of Sydney researcher.
David is disappointed the latest evidence on treatments is not filtering through to consumers and new resources are not reaching those with osteoarthritis.
He would like to see a stronger focus on the core treatments which work.
