National Survey Highlights Burden of Knee Osteoarthritis in the US Despite Availability of Effective Therapies

WARSAW, IN (October 30, 2014) – Findings from a new U.S. survey of 878 U.S. adults ages 45-75 with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee who have not had joint replacement surgery show that 95 percent of respondents avoid or make accommodations to common daily activities because of their knee pain, despite the availability of treatment options like physical therapy, hyaluronic acid injections and knee replacement. The survey also found that 90 percent of those who have had knee joint replacement said their lives have changed for the better following their joint replacement surgery.

In the survey, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of DePuy Synthes Companies, more than half of patients who experience moderate to severe knee pain and have not had knee joint replacement said they avoid activities that require a great deal of walking (57 percent) or standing (59 percent) at least quite a bit of the time, and one-third (33 percent) say they avoid activities that require going up or down stairs always or almost all the time. The survey also showed that knee pain affects OA sufferers at work. In fact, 78 percent of knee OA sufferers modify how they complete tasks at work that require a great deal of walking, squatting or climbing (e.g., stairs, ladders) because of their knee pain.

Rebecca Von Eiff, 68, an interior designer living in Baltimore, made accommodations due to her knee pain for years. But when her OA impacted her relationships with family – like having to spend her vacations watching her family rather than enjoying activities with them – Rebecca consulted with her orthopaedic surgeon. She received an innovative new knee replacement technology in 2012, the ATTUNE® Knee System, which is designed to maximize the range of movement when bending the knee while maintaining stability during activities like walking and going up and down stairs.

“Before my knee replacement surgery, finding ways to get through everyday life with minimal pain consumed me,” said Rebecca. “My advice to others is not to wait for the pain to get so bad that you stop living your life. Talk to your doctor about treatment options.”

In 2013 alone, approximately 678,000 total knee replacements were performed in the U.S.¹ – a treatment that can reduce pain and improve mobility. To raise awareness of this option, DePuy Synthes Companies has created Unspoken Limits, an educational campaign to help those with severe knee OA recognize that treating their severe knee pain rather than working around it can help them get back to living an active life sooner.

“When patients come to me, they are frustrated by knee pain and activity limitations, which may include difficulty getting in or out of a chair, shopping, running errands or even just walking across the street,” said David Fisher, M.D.,* orthopaedic surgeon at OrthoIndy in Indianapolis, and member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “They want to get back to their normal activities as soon as possible. The ATTUNE Knee is a total knee replacement designed to improve the feeling of stability and to maximize the range of movement in the knee, which are benefits that can enhance the patient’s recovery during rehabilitation and can be an important component to overall satisfaction with the knee replacement experience.”

Physical therapists (PT) play a critical role in the patient’s care, both before and after surgery. In a separate survey of 246 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) members, distributed on behalf of DePuy Synthes Companies, more than 93 percent of the respondents say they focus on increasing patients’ range of motion and stability, and getting them back to everyday activities following knee replacement surgery.

“After knee replacement surgery, it’s important that patients feel confident in their new knee,” said Christina Lewis, APTA member and Rebecca’s PT. “I believe that this confidence can help them get back to their daily activities more quickly.”

To read more stories like Rebecca’s, learn about the ATTUNE Knee System and find a doctor near you, visit www.GetBackSooner.com.

Osteoarthritis: Leading Source of Disability
The most frequent cause of severe knee pain is osteoarthritis, a debilitating condition that begins with pain in the affected joint and does not get better with time. If left untreated, osteoarthritis can cause bone deterioration and pose long-term health issues. It is estimated that one in every five people in the United States has some form of arthritis and osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons a person may need a joint replacement.² On average, people suffering from severe hip or knee pain due to osteoarthritis wait seven to 11 years before undergoing joint replacement surgery.³

About the Surveys
Consumer Survey: The survey was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of DePuy Synthes Companies between July 25 and August 19, 2014 among 1,087 U.S. adults ages 45-75 who have not been diagnosed with osteoarthritis; 1,024 U.S. adults ages 45-75 who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, experience OA in their knees and/or hips, and have not had joint replacement surgery (including 878 who experience knee pain); and, 515 U.S. adults ages 45-75 who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, experience OA in their knees and/or hips, have had a knee and/or hip joint replacement, and do not currently experience severe pain in other joints (including 357 who have had knee replacement surgery). For complete research method, including weighting variables, please contact Deanna Ashikyan.

Physical Therapist Survey: The survey was distributed online by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) on behalf of DePuy Synthes Companies between September 18 and September 29, 2014 to APTA physical therapist members who are currently practicing at private practices and outpatient facilities. The 246 qualified respondents stated that at least 16 percent or more of their patients have osteoarthritis and have undergone a rehabilitation program following total knee replacement. Survey responses were collected and tallied by Determinus, a research division of inVentiv Health. For complete research method, including weighting variables, please contact Deanna Ashikyan.

Important Safety Information
The performance of knee replacements depends on age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. People with conditions limiting rehabilitation should not have knee replacement surgery. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can determine if knee replacement is required based on an individual patient’s condition.

DePuy Synthes Companies
DePuy Synthes Companies is the largest provider of orthopaedic and neurological solutions in the world. For more information, visit www.depuysynthes.com.

* Consultant to DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction.

©DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, a division of DOI 2014. All rights reserved.