So often I meet somebody in pain... often agony..... due to arthritis.... they're told they need a new knee or a new hip... but they are advised to wait a few more years as joint replacements "don't last longer than 10 years".... well, this latest evidence suggests that such replacements actually last a lot longer....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-472385523

I see people who are so restricted with the amount they can do due to pain, they reduce their activity, they get weaker and weaker... then by the time they have waited a "few years" for the joint replacement... they are weak and frail often.... they have the replacement, but they are so weak that recovery is often slow... or minimal....

Food for thought... should people be waiting until they're desperate for a joint replacement? Or should they be having them while they are still fit and can make the best use of them....?

This attitude is so damaging.... people with dementia don’t suffer with it... they live with it.... just like people don’t suffer with other diseases.... people live with them. Calling people living with dementia “sufferers” goes against everything we aim for - inclusion!

The story itself is just awful in itself, the BBC clearly are trying to raise awareness.... but they need to improve the way they report things.

Isle of Wight dementia sufferer left with just pyjamas http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-47292807

I’ve been pretty quiet recently....and it’s been a pretty stressful time! So on Friday last week I had my PhD viva... this is the end point to 3.5 years of work and essentially involved sitting in front of 2 examiners and ‘defending’ my thesis for over 3 hours .... it was as scary as it sounds! The good news.... I survived...! The better news... I passed... with minor corrections.... which is pretty much the standard.... essentially I can now call myself a Dr.... but need to make a few changes before it’s officially signed off....

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel.... and apart from relief, I can’t say I feel any different... and essentially I’m not.... the last 3.5 years have been a massive learning curve that have made me a better physio.... so I can do more to help my patients, but does being able to call myself Dr change my abilities as a physio.... nope.... I will continue to grow and develop as a physio to ensure that I continue to provide the best care I can for my patients.

Onwards, upwards! :)

Abi

The CSP help to highlight the importance of rehab at Xmas..... https://www.facebook.com/301473906627881/posts/1799408213501102?sfns=0

Great article about the importance of exercise in the management of arthritis and the fear that people have about pain being a reason to stop exercising!

Read the full article here

A great report by the NIHR showing that investing in physiotherapy services can effectively improve outcomes for in a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic knee joint pain and low back pain. As such, it suggests that physiotherapy should be a core treatment provided to people with musculoskeletal conditions.

See the full report here - https://www.dc.nihr.ac.uk/themed-reviews/research-into-physiotherapy-for-musculoskeletal-conditions.htm

I’ve always struggled to help people with motor neurone when they have problems with head control. Standard orthotics and braces never seem to work... this looks amazing.... https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/revolutionary-neck-support-collar-now-available-on-the-nhs-for-people-with-motor-neuron-disease/8583

bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/6/e018977A great paper from a friend and colleague of mine on how people with dementia can be involved in decisions about their care