Zoe Chivers
Director of Services and Influencing, Versus Arthritis
NHS waiting list figures are at a record high with over 7.4 million people awaiting treatment and 830,000 waiting for trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) treatment, such as hip or knee replacement, in England alone.
Waiting times are at peak levels across the UK, with 62% of people waiting more than a year to be admitted for T&O surgery in Northern Ireland, so pain management techniques are more urgent than ever for those living with arthritis and waiting for surgery.
Lack of support to prepare for surgery
Hip and knee replacements have some of the longest waiting times in the UK, and many people have reported their conditions worsening while they wait. While the NHS is in this critical condition, people must be better supported to manage their pain and be ready for surgery when called. Yet, according to our research, half (51%) are receiving no support at all.
There are a range of movements that can be done at home and outdoors to keep the joints moving, ease symptoms and reduce pain.
What to do before surgery
It’s important to try to stay as fit and healthy as possible when waiting for surgery. Exercise, at the right level, reduces surgery complications and improves heart and lung health — and is also associated with faster recovery times.
People with arthritis can often find it hard to keep going with regular physical activity and exercise, and a lack of movement can actually increase symptoms such as stiffness and pain. Not only will movement assist in pain reduction but it also increases the range of mobility, improves joint function and keeps the muscles strong, which will help protect the joint. Exercise can also have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing as it is a proven mood-booster. There are a range of movements that can be done at home and outdoors to keep the joints moving, ease symptoms and reduce pain.
Learning how to exercise safely
Many of us, especially people living with the pain of arthritis, need support and guidance to exercise safely. This year, off the back of our popular ‘Let’s Move’ exercise programme, Versus Arthritis has created a bespoke toolkit to support the growing number of people waiting for, or undergoing, joint replacement surgery.
This new online toolkit offers a variety of exercises that can help people with arthritis prepare for and recover from surgery. In the future, we want everyone waiting for a joint replacement to have access to these types of programmes, ensuring the best surgery experience, which in turn supports our national health service.
