What if you could potentially get relief for osteoarthritis shoulder pain?

Living with the aches and pains of osteoarthritis, also known as OA, can feel like your body is working against you, especially if it cramps … your active lifestyle. While there are some options for symptom management, they range from home remedies to surgery, and their effectiveness may vary from patient to patient. Whether it’s you or someone you love living with OA, gaining a clearer picture of this condition is important for managing it, and clinical trials offer a pathway to do just that. The best tool is research. By participating in a clinical trial, individuals with osteoarthritis can help researchers advance our understanding of rheumatic diseases and contribute to the development of new treatment strategies.

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How Clinical Trials Work

Thank you for your interest in learning more about osteoarthritis clinical trials! Every day, academic institutions, pharmacological organizations and private research facilities across the country are diligently working on making strides in the study of OA and other debilitating conditions in various clinical trials.

Here’s a look at what a clinical trial for osteoarthritis might involve:

A principal investigator, or PI, is the physician in charge of the clinical trial, who is responsible for coordinating, managing and overseeing the clinical study. That individual carries out what is called a protocol.

Protocol is a document that describes how the trial is designed, and outlines how it should be carried out.

Clinical trials, also called research studies or clinical studies, can be either interventional, or non-interventional. Interventional studies mean that they test out an intervention, like a drug, procedure or medical device. Non-interventional studies, also called observational studies, don’t test potential treatments. Instead, researchers observe the participants over a period of time, and track health outcomes.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Here are the qualifications interested potential participants need to meet in order to join a clinical research study for shoulder osteoarthritis:

Be between the ages of 50 to 80 years old
Have a doctor-confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis in one shoulder
Have not had surgery, a fracture, or injury to the affected shoulder in the past 2 years
Do not have chronic bilateral shoulder pain (i.e. pain in both shoulders)

Learn more about if you or a loved one may be eligible for participation in an osteoarthritis clinical trial.

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Clinical Trials Make A Difference

Participation in a clinical study provides valuable information that could eventually lead to a better treatment and — with the right breakthrough — to better outcomes. Take our short survey to see if you or a loved one may be a good fit. There is no obligation.

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UNDERSTANDING OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and it occurs when the cartilage intended to protect and cushion the bones in your joints wears down over time — which is why it’s often known as “wear and tear” arthritis. Despite the fact that OA can affect any joint, it most commonly affects the hips, knees, spine and hands, however many people suffer from OA in other high-use areas, like the shoulders. Osteoarthritis most often occurs in middle-aged or elderly people, all races and sexes, and is a leading cause of disability in older people.^1.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

There is currently no cure for OA and damage to the joints can’t be reversed, but symptoms may be managed by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and receiving certain treatments. These measures could potentially help slow disease progression, however the goal of OA treatment is simply to reduce pain and improve function. Oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help decrease swelling and pain. Those with more serious pain may need stronger medications. Corticosteroid injections into the joint, or “cortisone shots,” as well as injections of a lubricant called hyaluronic acid into the joints, are also used to relieve OA pain, and in severe cases, surgery may be required. However many patients are hesitant to undergo surgery, leaving a need for potential nonsurgical treatment options to provide relief.^2.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Every day, research teams all across the country are studying new ways to treat debilitating conditions like osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases that provide prolonged relief. That’s why a nonsurgical treatment with the ability to potentially reduce pain symptoms, joint stiffness, and to help increase mobility would be a significant development. Clinical trials play a key role in determining the efficacy of those novel treatments, and in helping to get them to market.

33,000,000

About 33 million people in the United States have reportedly been diagnosed with OA, typically affecting people aged 45 or older — however it is not a regular part of aging.^3.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA)?

Signs of OA, which may develop slowly over time and worsen, include:^1.

Joint pain
Swelling of the soft tissue around the joint
Stiffness, often at its worst upon waking up or after being inactive for long periods
Loss of flexibility
Tenderness when you apply light pressure to or near the joint
Bone spurs
Grating sensation, popping, or cracking when using the joint

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925

Who may be a good candidate to apply for an osteoarthritis clinical trial?

You should consider applying for a study if you or a loved one:

Are between the ages of 50 and 80
Have a doctor-confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis in one shoulder
Have not had surgery, fractured, or suffered an injury to the affected shoulder in the past 2 years
Do not have chronic bilateral shoulder pain (i.e. pain in both shoulders)

What will happen during an OA clinical trial?

Most clinical trials will involve frontline screening to confirm that a potential patient is, in fact, a match for that study’s criteria. Once verified and the patient has signed an Informed Consent Form, which clearly provides the details and purpose of the study to that individual and what it involves, participants can expect to attend scheduled appointments at a clinician’s office. They will also receive an investigational treatment, and undergo additional screening and regular follow-up monitoring from a clinician and/or research staff.

Are there any costs to participate in a clinical trial?

In almost all instances, there is no cost to participate in a clinical trial. Participants receive all study-related medical care and study-related medications for the duration of the trial at no cost. Likewise in many instances, patients also enjoy benefits such as reimbursement for study-related time and travel.

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