I saw this on TV yesterday.
I could believe the guy was suffering, even painss which might have
simulated OA.
It didn't totally convince me and of course he always had the knowledge
that he could take it off after 20 mins or so and not have to live with
it forever.

No doubt the intentions are good and if it gives non sufferers an idea
of what the pain is like it may do so good and spread the word.

Peter (PS forgot to sign my surgery moan above)

Well, usually I'm all for teaching people what life is like for those of us
with osteoarthritis and other painful and disabling disorders.

But am I the only one who thinks this whole "osteoarthritis suit"
enterprise is ridiculous?

I think that the only people who will actually benefit from it is the
Loughborough University.   £20,000 ????  Give me a break!

The whole premise sounds beneficial and I'm not belittling the true pain and
difficulty of living with any similar disorder.  I'm just saying that
someone in that University must be a world-class snake oil salesman.

There are other ways to demonstrate how we really feel.  I can give you a
good kick in your knees.   How about pushing you under an 18-wheeler truck?
And I wouldn't even charge you a penny.  I'm not sure that just "20 minutes"
demonstration would be enough, though.

I agree that even the people who *should* have more empathy and knowledge
often do not.  Yes, there are stupid people in all walks of life and in all
professions.

René

i don't think most doctors or nursing staffs would try this suit, unless it
was a required part of their training.  but, as it is, most medical school
students don't even receive nearly enough training in how to even treat, or
create treatment plans, for chronic pain sufferers.

kate

I expect much of this applies to fibromyalgia as well. [pease note
crosspost]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6039754.stm Thursday, 12 October 2006,
09:42 GMT 10:42 UK
By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News

X-ray of knee with osteoarthritis. Credit: Neil Borden/Science Photo
Library
X-ray showing a knee with osteoarthritis
For 20 minutes, I had osteoarthritis.

Bending down to pick anything up was impossible. I could not open jars or
cans, and climbing stairs was a slow painful experience.

A bunion cut into my foot and my joints were stiff and slow to respond.

I found it hard to get from sitting to standing and tied a shoelace with
difficulty.

Pain

As time went on, my neck and knee started to ache and I tried to visualise
how my life would change if I had indeed got the condition. There would be
no running around with the children - in fact no running full stop.

Day-to-day tasks would take twice the time, and some might even go by the
board - would I bother putting on make-up if it caused me pain?

I think this suit is a wonderful idea if it gives doctors and nurses a
chance to try it
Sheena Turner

For a very short period I had a glimpse into the pain felt by the 8.5
million Britons with osteoarthritis - then with relief I took my special
simulation suit off.

The suit, which cost £20,000 and was developed by Loughborough University
mimics the characteristics of the condition to give wearers a "real life"
insight into the pain and impaired quality-of-life associated with
osteoarthritis (OA).

Experts hope the suit can be used not only to raise the profile of the
condition, but also to show healthcare professionals and carers how the
condition affects them.

Jane Elliott in the suit
The body suit replicates some of the discomfort of OA

Dr Garth Logan, former president of the Primary Care Rheumatology Society
and a GP in Northern Ireland, said he hoped many people would gain a
better understanding from trying on the suit.

"We are hoping doctors, nurses and carers can try it, and I would really
love to see politicians trying it on."

He said by trying on the suit health professionals could get a better idea
how their patient is feeling and might ensure more sympathetic responses.

"Part of the problem is that most doctors have had preconceptions and we
need to say there is more they could be doing."

Empathy

It's something Sheena Turner would certainly agree with.

The 62-year-old former nurse has had severe pain associated with
osteoarthritis for 22 years. Her neck, shoulder, hips, lumbar spine, and
hands, including her thumbs, are all affected.

As her condition worsened she had to give up work and walking, both of
which she loved.

But despite the considerable lifestyle changes the condition has forced on
her, Sheena says the medical profession has, on the whole, been less than
sympathetic.

She recalls a succession of unsympathetic comments including: "For
goodness sake, just take some paracetamol", "Most people your age have
aches and pain", and "It's just your age".

Sheena feels it is time medics learnt more empathy for the patients they
are caring for.

"When my nurses were looking after the elderly I used to tell them to put
cotton wool in their ears, or wear cloudy glasses, to give them an idea
what it is like to be elderly.

OA is the most common arthritis condition
It occurs when the cartilage covering the bony surfaces of joints breaks
down or when spurs develop at the edge of the bones in a joint
Weight-bearing joints such as the lower back, hips and knees are most
affected

"I think this suit is a wonderful idea if it gives doctors and nurses a
chance to try it."

Jane Spence, of Arthritis Care, was diagnosed with the condition two years
ago at the age of 45 and says the suit could be a vital education tool.

"The osteoarthritis suit is a great idea. It can be a struggle to explain
how bad the pain can get to friends, family and even doctors.

"Most days it feels as if I'm wearing a suit of rusty armour, like the Tin
Man from the Wizard of Oz, and some days I experience unrelenting,
razor-like pain."

In conjunction with the suit, a new web-based education programme for GPs
is also being launched to mark World Arthritis Day.

The JOINT Osteoarthritis Education Programme will be made available to GPs
throughout the UK, providing advanced training on the diagnosis and
management of the condition, including both drug-based and lifestyle
approaches to help improve mobility and minimise pain.

Dr Logan said: "JOINT is an important step forward for the effective
treatment of osteoarthritis-related pain.

"The confusion surrounding the safety of a number of traditional therapies
has now made it vital for GPs to take stock of the current treatment
options.

"For those of us involved in developing the programme, JOINT has enabled
us to outline a holistic approach for GPS and other healthcare
professionals managing osteoarthritis that will have direct and immediate
benefit for their patients."
___________________________________________
Let's hope the message gets out; physical help (family help or affordable
or free community resources) and pain meds are needed.