Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a significant cause of pain in adults affecting about one in eight older men and women in the UK.
Despite this there are no effective therapies which reduce pain and also the rate at which the disease progresses.
Furthermore current drug treatments for pain are limited because of their side effects and also the fact that many are not particularly effective.
Researchers at the University of Manchester, led by Professor David Felson, one of the leading experts in Osteoarthritis worldwide, are working to improve current treatments for the disease and also identify new therapies.
Most research has focused on drug treatments for the disease.
The research team at Manchester are taking a different, more novel approach, and attempting to reduce the stress on affected knee joint using a range of non-drug therapies including braces, shoe inserts and other mechanical aids.
People in the Salford and Greater Manchester area with osteoarthritis of the knee who would like to find out more about the research or who may be interested in taking part should contact the trial team for further information on: 0161 306 0545/0161 306 0547 or visit the website at http://www.inflammation-repair.manchester.ac.uk/roam/takingpart/
The hope is that reducing the stress at the joint will reduce pain and also in due course the rate at which the disease progresses.
The research team are now actively recruiting subjects for their latest study of a simple treatment that fits inside shoes.
When standing, walking or climbing stairs, the weight of the body is transmitted through the knee joint. Altering the pressures on the foot using a simple insert is thought to reduce stress at the knee and may help reduce the pain experienced in OA.
According to Professor Terence O’Neill, a Consultant Rheumatologist based at Salford and a member of the research team said: “If the interventions we are testing can be shown to be effective, they could make a real difference to patients’ lives.
“Also they are the kind of treatments that could easily be taken up by General Practitioners”.
People in the Salford and Greater Manchester area with osteoarthritis of the knee who would like to find out more about the research or who may be interested in taking part should contact the trial team for further information on: 0161 306 0545/0161 306 0547 or visit the website at http://www.inflammation-repair.manchester.ac.uk/roam/takingpart/
