WARSAW, Ind., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DePuy Synthes Companies today announced the launch of Hit Play, an educational initiative that encourages those dealing with hip or knee pain to stop settling for a life on 'pause' and instead take action to get back to the activities and people they love most.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons for severe hip or knee pain, affecting nearly 27 million Americans today and will potentially affect up to 67 million people by 2030.1,2 In turn, demand for hip and knee replacements are expected to dramatically increase, yet many women see joint replacement as a "last resort" and often wait until the pain has become unbearable before turning to surgery. Through a series of compelling and relatable content, DePuy Synthes seeks to inspire the millions of people stuck on 'pause' due to hip or knee pain to explore joint replacement with a doctor, as a potential viable solution when they Hit Play.
"I've always taken pride in my athleticism, but around the age of 40 everyday things like bending down to tie a shoe or stepping into a car hurt," said patient advocate, Rebekah Gleason Hope, who received two hip replacements. "Emotionally, it wears on you after a while, which is why I stopped settling for less and hit play on my life. After 8 weeks of physical therapy, I was back to my passions of bike riding and competing in cycling races again."
The Hit Play initiative will include a series of patient videos along with emotionally connected vignettes that showcases the impact of lessened mobility on the person as well as their loved ones. DePuy Synthes will also focus on traditional, social and digital components so the messages are heard in surround sound and encouraging those affected chronically by hip and knee pain to take action and speak with a doctor.
TimetoHitPlay.com serves as a go-to site for those suffering from hip and knee pain and makes finding a doctor to speak with in their local area easily accessible.
Important Safety Information The performance of knee and hip replacements depends on age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. People with conditions limiting rehabilitation should not have knee or hip replacement surgery. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can determine if knee or hip replacement is required based on an individual patient's condition.
About DePuy Synthes Companies DePuy Synthes Companies provides one of the most comprehensive portfolios of orthopaedic and neurological solutions in the world. DePuy Synthes Companies solutions, in specialties including joint reconstruction, trauma, neurological, craniomaxillofacial, spinal surgery and sports medicine, are designed to advance patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide. For more information, visit www.depuysynthes.com. Follow us on Twitter @DePuySynthes.
References 1. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. "Osteoarthritis." Available at http://www.niams.nih.gov//Health_Info/osteoarthritis/default.asp. Accessed October 2016. 2. Hootman JM, Helmick CG. "Projections of US Prevalence of Arthritis and Associated Activity Limitations." Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2006; 54(1):226-229
Share this article