Launch of shared decision-making aids for people with Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee

A step forward in management of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee

Two new shared decision-making tools have been designed by local GPs, Physiotherapists and Orthopaedic surgeons for people with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. The tools aim to help people to understand their condition, providing lots of useful information about the different treatment options for osteoarthritis and what is appropriate at each stage.

There is information about the benefits and risks of each treatment option. The purpose of the tools is to help people make shared decisions with their clinicians on what treatment is right for them.

The charts include information about the local support available and helping people to look after themselves to either get better or reduce the need for surgery. For those people who do need surgery, the charts will help them get fit for surgery and recovery quickly after surgery.

Look at the charts by visiting their website.

Dr Shaba Nabi, a local GP who has helped design the Hip and Knee Charts says “As a GP, it is so important that I understand what matters to patients so I can help them decide what treatment is right for them. To be able to have those shared decision-making conversations, people need to understand the risks and benefits of the different options and I hope these charts will provide people with the information they need”.

Please ask your clinician if you need a paper version of the charts.