OA Knee Class (ESCAPE)
Knee pain and stiffness are common, but can be disabling and have a significant impact on the ways people are able to lead day-to-day life.
As we get older our joints and the muscles and ligaments surrounding them become more susceptible to degeneration, often as a result of the stresses and strains they have withstood throughout our lifetime. Previous injuries may also mean our joints no longer function as well as they used to. The joints commonly affected are the hips, knees, lower back and hands; many people will experience symptoms in one or more of these areas as they age.
People who experience knee pain and stiffness (sometimes associated with swelling and redness) will often be told they have osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of joints affects approximately 8 million people in the UK, and is becoming more common as we live longer.
Many people think osteoarthritis/joint pain is untreatable: this is not correct. Whilst getting rid of knee joint pain completely is not possible, there is a lot you can do to reduce pain and maximise your ability to do what you want.
ESCAPE (Enabling Self-Management & Coping And Pain through Exercise) is a well-researched programme to help patients learn to manage their knee osteoarthritis. It is supported by Arthritis Research UK and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
The aim of this class is to provide advice and education regarding knee arthritis and help you start the exercises designed to improve your movement and reduce your pain. You will be provided with guidance for self-management of your arthritis.
The class consists of 10 sessions. They run twice a week – Monday at 2.30pm and Thursday at 2.30pm and it is important to attend every class.
Referral to this class is by a Physiotherapist following an individual assessment.
How can you contact the department?
The Department is open between 7.45am - 4.45pm, Monday to Friday, and can be contacted using the following:
T: 020 8333 3148
F: 020 8333 3089
E: LH.Physio-info@nhs.net