Joint Action

Robotic surgery promises precision. But does it translate into better outcomes for patients having knee replacement?

In this episode of Joint Action, Professor David Hunter speaks with Professor Christopher Vertullo, an orthopaedic knee surgeon and researcher based on the Gold Coast. Chris is Clinical Director of the Australian Orthopaedic Association Clinical Trials and Data Analytics Unit, Director of Knee Research Australia, and a past President of the Australian Knee Society. His research uses large-scale registry data and randomised controlled trials to determine which surgical treatments actually make a difference for people with knee conditions.

This conversation dives into the findings of two landmark trials, the RACER-Knee study and the RASKAL trial, which together put robotic-arm-assisted knee replacement to the test. What does the evidence actually show? And what should patients and clinicians make of it?
Whether you are weighing up surgical options for knee osteoarthritis or simply want to understand where the science stands on one of the most hotly debated tools in modern orthopaedics, this episode is worth a listen.

RESOURCES
Journal articles
Robotic-arm-assisted versus conventional total knee replacement (RACER-Knee): a pragmatic, multicentre, participant-masked and assessor-masked, superiority, randomised controlled trial
Robotic-assisted surgery and functional alignment in total knee arthroplasty: the RASKAL registry-nested 2 x 2 factorial randomized trial
Related episodes
S03E10 - Does obesity cause knee replacement? with Prof Chris Vertullo

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Naia Health: https://www.naiahealth.com.au/st-leonards-hub
Join one of our trials: https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/current-trials
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Email: hello@jointaction.info
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Patients are not just the subjects of research. They are essential partners in shaping it.

In this episode of Joint Action, Professor David Hunter sits down with John Day, a consumer advocate who has spent years ensuring that the voices of people living with osteoarthritis are heard where it matters most: in research, education, and healthcare design. John's journey into advocacy began with his own experience of OA, and since retiring from a career spanning education and organisational leadership, he has channelled that energy into workshops, studies, and focus groups dedicated to keeping the patient perspective at the centre of the work.

John’s career began in education, teaching mathematics and science before moving into educational planning. He later held leadership roles as Business Manager of a large secondary college and Assistant Director of Mary MacKillop Place during World Youth Day 2008. Since retiring, John has remained actively involved in his community through a range of volunteer roles.

Drawing on his own experience of osteoarthritis, John has also become a consumer advocate by being involved in studies, workshops and focus groups, to ensure that the voices of people living with OA are represented in research and education.

John also enjoys spending time with his five grandchildren, cultivating bonsai, and travelling with his wife, Margaret.

Whether you are a researcher, clinician, or someone living with osteoarthritis, this conversation is a reminder of what becomes possible when people with lived experience have a seat at the table.

CONNECT WITH US
Naia Health: https://www.naiahealth.com.au/st-leonards-hub
Join one of our trials: https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/current-trials
Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
Email: hello@jointaction.info
Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review!
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On this special World Arthritis Day episode of Joint Action, we are bringing together some of the most moving moments from our patient stories series, where real people share what it is like to live with osteoarthritis, and more importantly, what they did about it.

Whether you are newly diagnosed, have been living with osteoarthritis for years, or are supporting someone who is, we hope today's episode reminds you that there is always something you can do.

RELATED EPISODES
S02E21 - Empowering patients to take control of their osteoarthritis with Dr Dawn Richards
S02E06 - Meagan's osteoarthritis journey
S04E16 - Julie's journey with osteoarthritis

CONNECT WITH US
Naia Health: https://www.naiahealth.com.au/st-leonards-hub
Join one of our trials: https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/current-trials
Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
Email: hello@jointaction.info
Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review!
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Do supplements really help with osteoarthritis, or are we wasting our money? On this week's episode of Joint Action, Associate Professor Joanna Harnett and Dr Jocelyn Bowden join Professor David Hunter to cut through the noise on complementary medicines, exploring what the evidence actually shows and how to make informed decisions about supplement use for osteoarthritis.

A/Prof Joanna Harnett is an Associate Professor of Complementary Medicines at the University of Sydney's School of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on the quality use of complementary medicines and clinical studies in gastrointestinal health and the microbiome, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and more than $1.15 million in research funding. She is Chair of the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Advisory Committee on Complementary Medicines and a Board Member of the International Society for Complementary, Traditional and Integrative Medicine Research.

Dr Jocelyn Bowden is a Senior Research Fellow with the Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group at the Kolling Institute, University of Sydney. Her research focuses on improving healthcare through evidence-based practice, including the role of complementary medicines in osteoarthritis care. She has secured over $6.5 million in research funding, published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles, and co-leads the OARSI Joint Effort Initiative for the Implementation of Osteoarthritis Management Programs.

CONNECT WITH US

Naia Health: https://www.naiahealth.com.au/st-leonards-hub
Join one of our trials: https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/current-trials
Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
Email: hello@jointaction.info
Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to live with hand osteoarthritis, and how do you stay active and engaged in life when your hands are constantly painful? On this week's episode of Joint Action, Giovanna Lever joins Professor David Hunter to share her personal journey living with hand osteoarthritis, diagnosed at 45 after years of struggling with pain, and what it has meant for her work, travel, and family life.

Giovanna Lever is the Founder and Managing Director of Sparrowly Group, a Sydney-based consultancy working in economic development, community development, workforce planning, and tourism strategy across Australia and the Asia-Pacific. She is an advocate for accessible and inclusive tourism and co-founder of AccessA, a platform focused on accessibility and inclusion for businesses and tourism operators. Diagnosed with arthritis in her hands in 2025, she continues to champion an active and healthy lifestyle despite a busy schedule involving work, travel, and family life.

RESOURCES
Journal article
Efficacy of a Combination of Conservative Therapies vs an Education Comparator on Clinical Outcomes in Thumb Base OsteoarthritisA Randomized Clinical Trial

Links
COMBO study supplemental information
Functional equipment
Daily living aids
Assistive devices for arthritis of the hands
Assistive products

Related Episodes
Hormones, menopause, and joint pain with Dr Ginni Mansberg
Hand osteoarthritis with Margreet Kloppenburg

CONNECT WITH US
Naia Health: https://www.naiahealth.com.au/st-leonards-hub
Join one of our trials: https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/current-trials
Instagram: @ProfDavidHunter
Twitter: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorg
Email: hello@jointaction.info
Website: www.jointaction.info/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to learn more about osteoarthritis from the world's leading experts! And please let us know what you thought by leaving us a review!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.