Tasmanian-first program preventing osteoarthritis-related surgery launches in Launceston
A program revolutionising osteoarthritis (OA) treatment and drastically reducing the need for surgical hip and knee replacements is expanding to Launceston, thanks to a key partnership between two healthcare providers committed to keeping Tasmanians out of hospital.
The collaboration between Tasmanian not-for-profit St Lukes and Kieser Australia uses guided physiotherapy and strength training for people diagnosed with hip or knee OA, with the aim to delay or avoid surgery altogether. Patients would otherwise need an urgent joint replacement, or suffer through pain, reduced movement, and flow-on health impacts.
OA is a chronic degenerative joint disease, causing pain, stiffness and disability. Around 2.2 million Australians currently suffer from OA – a number that is predicted to increase to 3.1 million by 2030. As the primary treatment for OA, joint replacements are on the rise, increasing 32 per cent between 2008 to 2018.
The program’s expansion to the north follows the overwhelming success of the initial Kieser Osteoarthritis Pilot Program – a Tasmanian-first developed in partnership with St Lukes in the south of the state.
St Lukes Chief Health Officer Luke Cameron said they were continuing to explore with Kieser ways to better understand the impact of OA in regional areas, and what models of care could be developed to assist in keeping more Tasmanians out of hospital.
“The first group of participants in this pilot program were able to achieve significant functional and strength improvements, and on average their pain levels halved,” Mr Cameron said.
“For people living with chronic pain, that’s a remarkable result which makes a huge difference to their quality of life.
“The feedback in southern Tasmania was so positive that we are proud to now bring the program to Launceston, to help keep those suffering from osteoarthritis moving, healthy, and out of hospital.
“St Lukes has a vision to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet, and we are thrilled to partner with providers such as Kieser to look at health challenges such as OA holistically.”
Kieser Australia Clinic Leader Jed Morgan said there was significant need for the program in northern Tasmania.
“This is a pilot we’ve developed together with St Lukes, targeted to the needs and lifestyles of Tasmanians, and we’re thrilled to collaborate on a new program for people in the north,” he said.
“Over 14 weeks, we work with clients with OA on a tailored program in the Kieser facility. The program involves one-on-one sessions with our physiotherapists and exercise scientists to isolate the muscles associated with their pathology, restoring strength and function to our clients.
“There are clear physical benefits, but we also see a huge improvement in participants’ mental health and wellbeing as the burden of chronic pain eases and they enjoy improved strength, fitness and quality of life.”
St Lukes CEO Paul Lupo said the OA program was an excellent example of the non-profit’s focus on preventative and early intervention action to keep people out of hospital.
“People’s expectations of private health are changing,” Mr Lupo said. “Our members now want us to help them maintain and optimise their health and wellbeing, not just to get well again once a serious health issue hits.
“That’s why this federal election, we’re advocating for regulatory change that would allow funds like St Lukes to play a greater role in primary care, especially in the preventative space.
“We’re also asking candidates to back a hospital-in-the-home program, where GPs can refer patients for home-based acute care, and remain involved in collaborative discussions about patients’ care – exactly what we’ve seen happen with our Kieser OA pilot program.
“This is not a minor issue. Last financial year, joint replacements were our second biggest hospital claim area, a close second to heart-related procedures. OA claims will only increase as Tasmania’s population ages. If we can keep even a percentage of those members from needing surgery through early, non-surgical treatment, it will relieve pressure on our hospitals and joint replacement waitlists.
“Programs like this that make hospital admission a last resort are a great proof point of our vision to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet.”
[1] Ackerman I L et al, Counting the cost: the current and future burden of arthritis. Arthritis Australia. 2016.
[1] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis/data