August 16, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – To avoid most diseases, including many types of arthritis, recommendations often focus on diet and exercise such as, eat nutritious foods, exercise and maintain a healthy body weight. Given these guidelines, Kelly Barber, Assistant Chief of Coquitlam Fire and Rescue, should move through life effortlessly, but Kelly is currently recovering from a hip replacement.

As a firefighter Kelly’s career demands that he be physically fit and his passion for physically demanding sports takes him beyond any fitness requirements. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, he played hockey, skied and cycled. Now Kelly feels his mogul skiing days are over. He started experiencing pain in his mid-forties but attributed it to normal aches and pains. It wasn’t until the pain was extreme that he took it seriously. His advice to others is to be active but in moderation. The question is – is this the best advice?

Through a 5-year, $2.5 Million project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, scientists at the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada will study the cause of hip pain and its link to osteoarthritis. This comprehensive study will reveal if hip pain is caused by certain physical activities, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), or the combination of the two. The results can potentially change the way hip pain will be treated, and ultimately, prevent devastating osteoarthritis.

FAI is described as a boney deformity of the hip of which not much is known. It is believed that certain types of physical activity, such as hockey, skiing and cycling, combined with the deformity causes damage to the hip. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage is damaged. Dr. John Esdaile, Scientific Director of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, outlines the importance of the study,

We believe that by studying hip pain we can determine its cause and prevent hip damage for many. This may open the door to preventing hip osteoarthritis, which means we avoid costly surgery and greatly improve the quality of life of Canadians who experience hip pain. – Dr. John Esdaile

The number of hip replacements is on the rise, increasing by 47% over 5 years and hip osteoarthritis in women is increasing at a rate that is not explained by the effects of aging. There were 24,253 hip replacements in Canada in 2006/2007.

The number of hip replacements is on the rise, increasing by 47% over 5 years and hip osteoarthritis in women is increasing at a rate that is not explained by the effects of aging. There were 24,253 hip replacements in Canada in 2006/2007.

Interview opportunities include:

Mr. Kelly Barber – Assistant Chief of Coquitlam Fire & Rescue, recently had a hip replacement and will provide his perspective on hip pain and the effect it has had on his lifestyle. Photograph attached.

Dr. John Esdaile – Is the lead investigator of the IMPAKT-HiP study, he is available to speak in more depth regarding the study and its importance in preventing hip pain. Dr. Esdaile is the Scientific Director of the Arthritis Research Canada and Professor of Medicine at University of British Columbia and University of Calgary.

Dr. Charles R Ratzlaff –Is a research scientist and orthopaedic and sports physical therapist and is available to speak on femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and physical activity. His research includes the study of risk factors for hip and knee osteoarthritis, FAI, hip labral tears and their relation to hip OA, and sport injury prevention.

Dr. Nelson Greidanus – Is an orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty interest in complex hip and knee replacement and reconstruction. Dr. Greidanus performed Kelly Barber’s hip replacement and is available to address questions regarding hip replacement surgery.

Dr. Mike Gilbart – Is an orthopedic surgeon at the University of British and Vancouver Coastal Health and is co-investigator on the IMPAKT-HiP study. Dr. Gilbart is available to speak to early treatment of FAI and the potential impact it has on the development and progression of OA.

The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada’s IMPAKT-HiP study is led by Dr. John Esdaile, Scientific Director of the Arthritis Research Canada and Professor of Medicine at University of British Columbia and University of Calgary. The research team involves 13 top-level scientists across Canada, many of whom are supported by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI). The IMPAKT-HiP study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).