Osteoarthritis in 2020 and beyond

We applaud the bold move of creating the Lancet Commission on Osteoarthritis, an often forgotten illness.

Globally applicable and acceptable solutions need transdisciplinary action, which the Commission has clearly thought about, given its diverse professional make-up. In this line of thought, we would like to highlight two other Lancet Commissions, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and the ongoing Lancet Commission on Diagnostics.

Total hip arthroplasty is considered one of the most successful and cost-effective surgical interventions ever developed.

Furthermore, even though the mantra we treat patients and not x-rays remains a core value in orthopaedic surgery, treating patients with osteoarthritis without access to diagnostics is near to impossible. Despite the benefits of diagnostics, economic constraints in low-income and middle-income countries severely restrict access to surgical care and diagnostic technology.

We believe that the work done by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and the Lancet Commission on Diagnostics can meaningfully inform the work of the Lancet Commission on Osteoarthritis.

Additionally, we would like to ask the commissioners to consider inviting a paediatrician or paediatric (orthopaedic) surgeon to further the transdisciplinary nature of the Commission. Such an expert could provide valuable insights on paediatric conditions that predispose osteoarthritis, such as scoliosis, developmental dysplasia of the hip, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, or septic arthritis, and possible pathways for prevention and mitigation.

We wish the commissioners all the best in their important work, and we hope that they are willing to consider our reflections and suggestions.