* Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip is the single most important cause of disability in retirement years, affecting up to 25% of those over 65.
* The annual cost of treatment to the NHS is £675 million.
* There are 36 million days lost due to osteoarthritis, costing the economy £3.2 billion in lost earnings.
Regular walking to build up the quadriceps muscles and help reduce weight is the cornerstone of both preventing and reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Three 40-minute walks a week may help to halt the progression of knee osteoarthritis38. Regular walking and other moderate physical activities may be associated with a lower risk of subsequent osteoarthritis, especially among women.39
Ironically, most GPs we spoke to said that the most frequent reason why overweight patients with osteoarthritis of the knee could not walk more was because of pain.
* The annual cost of treatment to the NHS is £675 million.
* There are 36 million days lost due to osteoarthritis, costing the economy £3.2 billion in lost earnings.
Regular walking to build up the quadriceps muscles and help reduce weight is the cornerstone of both preventing and reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Three 40-minute walks a week may help to halt the progression of knee osteoarthritis38. Regular walking and other moderate physical activities may be associated with a lower risk of subsequent osteoarthritis, especially among women.39
Ironically, most GPs we spoke to said that the most frequent reason why overweight patients with osteoarthritis of the knee could not walk more was because of pain.