Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001
For more information, contact:Joanne L. Swanson(847) 384-4035 [email protected]
A.J. Wright(847) 384-4034 [email protected]
Todd Schuetz(847) 384-4032 [email protected]
ARTICULAR CARTILAGE TREATMENTS MAY IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
NEW YORK-Articular cartilage is among the most incredible materials that nature has engineered. It provides a nearly friction-free and cushion-like joint surface so humans can move about smoothly and without pain. Unfortunately, articular cartilage is not immune to factors that can lead to its eventual breakdown and diseases.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately 1,000,000 patients per year undergo surgery for osteoarthritis of their knees, hips, shoulders and spine. All procedures involving cartilage surgery of the knee, the surgeon inpatient and outpatient services costs were conservatively estimated to be approximately $900 million.
"Degeneration of articular cartilage and associated arthritis is among the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United States," said Douglas W. Jackson, MD, co-author of Symptomatic Articular Cartilage Degeneration: The Impact in the New Millennium, and past president of the Academy. "The population most at risk is increasing in numbers. It is the leading cause of limitations in activities of daily living and is second to heart disease in causing work disability."
Speaking at the Academy's Orthopaedics Update conference, Dr. Jackson, stated "the direct traditional medical costs and indirect economic and wage loss from arthritis in the U.S. has reached in excess of $65 billion annually, and is expected to rise as the population ages. Patients with arthritis account for as many as 39 million physician visits and 500,000 hospitalizations per year."
The expenditures for complementary and alternative professional services and therapies for arthritis and is in the billions of dollars annually is increasing. Because of these escalating costs, documenting the value to the patient and cost effectiveness to society, of prevention and treatment programs for symptomatic articular cartilage degeneration, will be required.
Dr. Jackson said "The current and future socioeconomic impact of chronic articular cartilage disease on the healthcare system will be magnified by increasing numbers of patients who in order to remain active, will seek relief of their symptoms and their disability. Because these individuals live longer and remain active, the proportion of their life span living with symptoms and disability from articular cartilage degeneration increases."
Various forms of arthritis (two most common by far are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) are the conditions most commonly associated with the degeneration of the involved joint's articular surfaces and will have the largest increase in numbers of new patients of any disease in the U.S. As the percentage of the population with diseases of cartilage increases, the impact on the social and economic fabric of the healthcare system in the U.S. will stimulate novel treatments and therapies.
The 25,5000 member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public.
An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.bonejointdecade.org), the global initiative in the years 2000-2010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.
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