OPTIKNEE - international team working to prevent knee osteoarthritis after knee injury

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 24, 2022 /CNW/ - Knee injuries can be life-altering and could lead to osteoarthritis and, consequently, affect healthcare systems globally. OPTIKNEE, led by Arthritis Research Canada, Research Scientist Dr. Jackie Whittaker, is an international group of over 40 scientists, patients and health care professionals working to address this issue.

Over the last three years, the OPTIKNEE group has combined evidence from approximately 230 studies which include 133,000 people with knee injuries, aimed at identifying key findings within several areas of research in 7 systematic reviews. This process resulted in 8 recommendations for health care after a knee injury and 6 recommendations for future research aimed at preventing knee osteoarthritis after an injury.

"These recommendations will ensure patients receive the best care following a traumatic knee injury, so that they don't develop osteoarthritis. The research recommendations lay the foundation for future research using similar methods so that data results of individual studies can be more easily combined," said Dr. Whittaker. These results also encourage collaboration among researchers to use collective resources and overcome common barriers.

OPTIKNEE emerged from an international meeting focused on setting priorities for preventing osteoarthritis after knee injury. The OPTIKNEE group outputs are expected to drive innovation and change the face of care for persons that experience a traumatic knee injury.

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Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people living with arthritis through research and engagement. Arthritis Research Canada's scientific director, Dr. Diane Lacaille is leading a team of over 100 researchers, trainees and staff whose life-changing research is creating a future where people living with arthritis have the knowledge and tools to triumph over pain and disability. Arthritis Research Canada is now conducting arthritis research from coast to coast with centres in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and scientists affiliated with six major universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, Université Laval, McGill University, and Dalhousie University. Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding new and better treatment, and improving quality of life.

SOURCE Arthritis Research Canada