Free Osteoarthritis classes show significant improvement in outcomes

17th October 2024

The results are in!! Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Community Programme is providing FREE exercise classes and educational workshops to those suffering from chronic joint pain, and in partnership with Hallamshire Physiotherapy Ltd.

The project is predominantly aimed at men and women aged 50+ but not exclusively, to deliver an educational, self-management and coping process that involves using pacing activities, motivation and behaviour change methods to support people living with chronic joint pain, such as osteoarthritis of the knees and hips.

We took outcome measures before the classes started and then repeated the outcome measures after 3 months of attendance of the Osteoarthritis combined exercise and education classes.

The results showed a significant large improvement in outcomes of the members having only attended the classes for 3 months.

-> The average Oxford knee or hip score improved from 30 to 37.

-> 2 individuals were in the category of ‘it is highly likely you will require surgery’. After the 3 months, there were 0 in this category.

-> 7 were in the range of 20 to 29, just above the suggested surgery bracket. This reduced to only 2, suggesting that a further 5 potential surgeries may also be avoided!

-> considering the average joint replacement costs the NHS £13K, this is already a saving of £26K to the NHS and a potential further saving of £65K.

We will have further data in the coming months once some of the later starters have completed 3 months, but so far the results are looking incredible.

To find out more about the classes, email Ben.lamb@swfc.co.uk

Learn more at https://www.hallamshirephysiotherapy.com/clinic-offers-free-osteoarthritis-exercise-classes-through-football-club/