Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between joints breaks down. This can cause chronic pain and stiffness, physical disability, functional impairment and social and vocational difficulties. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is estimated to affect more than 5 million Australians.

Clinicians developed the osteoarthritis chronic care program (OACCP) which helps to:

• enable patients to self-manage their osteoarthritis
• remove, reduce or delay the need for surgery
• give better access to patients needing joint replacement surgery
• prepare patients for surgery and improved surgical ou​tcomes.

More information

• Learn more about OACCP in the Northern NSW Local Health District case study.
• Visit the Agency for Clinical Innovation​.