Leg pain could be holding people back from National Walking Month

Dodgy knees and gammy hips could be holding back people in Lancaster from taking part in National Walking Month.

May is the designated ‘official’ month for walking, with people enjoying the physical and mental health benefits of getting out and about.

However, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Amit Shah, of BMI The Lancaster Hospital says that the pain of arthritis, affecting a third of the adult population, could be precluding people from taking part.

“It’s doesn’t have to be like this,” he said. “There are a number of different remedies they could try, ranging from supplements, weight loss and exercise through to joint arthroscopies and replacements.

“My patients who have had joint replacements say to me that it’s really given them a new lease of life, and allowed them to enjoy the things that they used to take for granted – from being able to go for a walk to returning to running and sport.”

Options for knee and hip surgery include resurfacing of the joint through to a total joint replacement, with an average recovery time of just a few weeks with physiotherapy. 

According to data from Arthritis Research UK:

  • One third of people aged 45 years and over in the UK have sought treatment for osteoarthritis.

  • Women are more likely than men to have sought treatment for osteoarthritis.

  • Osteoarthritis increases between the ages of 45 and 75 years.

  • Of those aged 75 years and over, 49% of women and 42% of men have sought treatment for osteoarthritis.

Mr Shah said: “Arthritis is more common that people think, but your GP would be able to help you consider the options which work best for you.”

Ends

Notes to editors

A digital image of Mr Shah is attached

This is a link to Mr Shah’s profile page: https://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/consultants/amit-shah

Link to the research data: https://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/~/media/Files/Policy%20files/Policy%20pages%20files/Osteoarthritis%20in%20general%20practice%20%20July%202013%20%20Arthritis%20Research%20UK%20PDF%20421%20MB.ashx