We hear it often – people get told, “you have arthritis, learn to live with it” or “come back when it is worse, and we will consider surgery.” At Arthritis New Zealand, we hear all too often from people with osteoarthritis who have experienced such advice. 

Currently, over 400,000 people in New Zealand have osteoarthritis. It is associated with aging, and there is a common perception that joint replacement is an inevitable outcome. 

However management of osteoarthritis is about much more than just surgery, and Arthritis New Zealand is putting the spotlight on osteoarthritis by hosting Professor David Hunter, a recognised world expert in its management, on a speaking tour in September.  

Prof. Hunter was a principal adviser in the development of the New South Wales managing Osteoarthritis Chronic Care programme. This programme saw a reduction in surgical waitlists for joint replacement and has significant implications for how the treatment of osteoarthritis in New Zealand can be significantly improved.

While in New Zealand he will present on;

• The social and economic impact of osteoarthritis
• Approaches to improve its management and treatment
• How a reduction in surgical waitlists is achieved in New South Wales

Prof. Hunter is a rheumatology clinician-researcher based in Sydney who has written and presented internationally on osteoarthritis. He will be in New Zealand from 13 to 19 September 2019 and will be available for media interviews. The speaking tour is a rare opportunity to hear from an internationally renowned authority on osteoarthritis.

To find out when and where Prof. Hunter will present, please contact Adrienne.

Adrienne Walker-Regan
Philanthropy Co-ordinator
Arthritis New Zealand
Tel: 0800 663 463
Email: awr@arthritis.org.nz

Arthritis New Zealand

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