The day doctor John nearly died
1 July, 2012
Reporter: Dr John D'Arcy
Producer: Sophie Kennedy-White
This is a story that had an unexpected ending for Sunday Night's resident doctor and sends a warning to all of us.
During the course of filming a piece on dodgy knees, or osteoarthritis, Dr John D'Arcy made a mistake with his medication that landed him in the emergency ward and almost killed him.
Dr D'Arcy had been taking medication to ease chronic pain in his knees, a condition he has suffered for years. The pain in his knees was triggered by excess weight and a lack of exercise.
Every extra kilogram of weight you carry on your body increases the force on your knees by about another 6 kilograms.
But it’s not only people battling the bulge that are in danger. Around the country young fit and healthy people are causing great damage to their knees every time they step onto a netball court or a footy field.
But now, an exciting new surgery to replace the damaged bone with a metal and plastic crown. With no recovery and rehab, patients are walking with in hours.
This is what Dr John should have done. Instead, he kept putting it off, turning to pain killers.
In the end, what started out as a story on osteoarthritis turned out very differently for Sunday Night’s good doctor.
More information
For help and support contact the Arthritis HOTLINE FREECALL 1800 011 041 or go to the website www.arthritisaustralia.com.au/
For details on awareness, education and support activities in your state please contact the arthritis infoline freecall 1800 011 041.
Arthritis Australia is committed to providing information, education and support to all Australians living with arthritis and related conditions.
Visit your state and territory website for information on self-management courses, seminars and various other support groups by clicking here:
Australian Capital Territory
www.arthritisact.org.au
New South Wales
www.arthritisnsw.org.au
Queensland
www.arthritis.org.au
South Australia
www.arthritissa.org.au
Tasmania
www.arthritistasmania.com.au
Victoria
www.arthritisvic.org.au
Western Australia
www.arthritiswa.org.au
Northern Territory
www.aont.org.au
More info on OA (Osteoarthritis)
Arthritis Australia
www.arthritisaustralia.com.au/
Bone & Joint Decade
www.bjd.org.au/
Be Medicine Wise
www.nps.org.au/
Osteoarthritis info sheet attached [PDF]
The information on yahoo7.com.au/sundaynight is made available for information purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Also, the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information is not guaranteed. Yahoo7 and The Seven Network do not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information.
