What We Do

Thousands of people in Canada are living in agonizing and debilitating pain due to arthritis, waiting longer than they should for life-changing joint replacement surgery. Governments must work together to change this. Ask your elected officials to take action today. It’s time to stop the pain.

Our Solutions: 

Our report, The Wait: Addressing Canada’s Critical Backlog of Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries, developed with input from experts across the country, has solutions to address this urgent health challenge:

1. Ensure innovative models of care are replicated and shared widely so more Canadians have access to their benefits.
2. Standardize how patient data is collected and reported on across the country, to make it easier to set national standards and benchmarks.
3. Leverage digital technology to reduce wait times, maximize limited health resources and improve co-ordination of care.
4. Increase access to community-based joint health management programs, so more patients have access to proven programs that effectively manage pain pre-op and better optimize results post-op.
5. Ensure savings from surgical efficiencies are re-invested into improving patient care.

The State of Arthritis in Canada Report Card is a first-of-its-kind report evaluating provinces and territories on access to arthritis care, wellness, and commitment to research and innovation. The report distributed low and failing grades across the nation, underscoring the need for action and innovation in the field of arthritis care. We need to invest in research, adopt new models of care, raise awareness and improve data collection to better understand the burden of arthritis and inform actions to improve health outcomes. This report is an impetus to develop a concrete, solution-oriented national plan to address gaps in arthritis care and research.

Read the full report

Provinces and territories were graded on: Access to Care & Treatment, Wellness, Research & Innovation

Grading legend A: Excellent B: Good C: Satisfactory D: Improvement Needed F: Significant Improvement Needed

Key Findings

Get Involved

Have your say on key issues of concern for the arthritis community. Take action, learn more about our positions and become an advocacy volunteer.

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Arthritis is the leading cause of joint replacement surgeries, including 99 per cent of knee replacements and more than 70 per cent of hip replacements. These surgeries drastically change the quality of life for people living with arthritis, giving them back their mobility and allowing them to return to work and normal activities without constant and devastating pain. Delays in these surgeries lead to more pain, further deterioration of joints, additional surgeries, and increased costs to the health system and economy.

With input from a pan-Canadian group of leading clinicians, advocates and health system leaders, Arthritis Society Canada released a report in 2021, The Wait: Addressing Canada’s Critical Backlog of Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries. The report provides concrete, innovative solutions to deliver more efficient and person-centred care for joint replacement surgeries and improve the health care system.

While governments have taken some action to address surgical wait times through dedicated funding, task forces, and adoption of some of our solutions, too many people are still waiting too long in pain. According to the most recent data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) wait times for hip and knee replacements are longer than before the pandemic.

A robust pan-Canadian wait times strategy is urgently needed. This strategy must include setting and tracking targets, optimizing resources, implementing innovative models of care, preventing the progression of arthritis through early intervention and improving access to care. Government collaboration with healthcare providers, patient groups and other health system stakeholders is also essential to identify obstacles and the most effective measures to address them.

Through meetings with government officials and health system leaders and our ongoing advocacy campaign, Arthritis Society Canada continues to call on governments to take bold and immediate action to solve this crisis and improve the lives of those living with arthritis.

For further information, please see our position statement on wait times.

Arthritis Society Canada believes it is essential that people living with arthritis have access to appropriate treatment and care. As there is no cure, medications play a vital role in helping many people living with arthritis manage their condition. The right treatment plan can significantly improve quality of life and allow people living with arthritis to lead near normal lives. However, finding the right treatment is often a matter of trial and error. What works for one person may not for another. It is critical there be a broad range of treatment options.

The Conference Board Report “Accessing Necessary Arthritis Medications, A Pan-Canadian Analysis” highlights the challenges and obstacles Canadians living with arthritis face in accessing their medically necessary medications.

As governments look for more cost-effective treatment options, Arthritis Society Canada believes biosimilars [418 kB] have a role to play in the care and management of inflammatory arthritis. Biosimilars provide additional choices for those living with inflammatory arthritis and have the potential to lower health care costs and increase access to treatment.

Arthritis Society Canada supports the call for a national pharmacare plan and calls on all levels of government, insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry, employers and other relevant stakeholders to collaboratively work together to ensure people living with arthritis have equitable, affordable and timely access to medically necessary treatment wherever they live in Canada. It is vital that any effort to move forward on national pharmacare must be informed and advised by strong patient participation focused on addressing urgent patient needs.

If you would like more information or have questions please contact our advocacy team at [email protected].

If you are interested in being an advocacy volunteer please sign up.

In addition to funding scientific research to better understand the use of cannabis for medical purposes, the Arthritis Society is a leading voice in Canada advocating for medical cannabis to be treated the same as other treatments and call on the government to eliminate the tax and expand access to allow pharmacy distribution.

Read our position statement on medical cannabis.

If you would like more information or have questions please contact our advocacy team at [email protected].

If you are interested in being an advocacy volunteer please sign up.

We regularly provide submissions and input to federal and provincial governments, including pre-budget and public policy consultations. Recent submissions include:

• Canada Disability Benefit Regulations submission [PDF 230kB] (September 2024): Joint submission from Arthritis Society Canada and Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance on proposed Canada Disability Benefit regulations.
• Submission to the federal Standing Committee on Finance [PDF 1.5MB] (August 2024): Federal government pre-Budget submission.
• Cannabis Regulations submission [PDF 385kB] (July 8, 2024): Joint submission from Arthritis Society Canada and Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance on potential amendments to the Cannabis Regulations.
• Submission to the federal Standing Committee on Health (HESA) [PDF 742kB] (May 2024): HESA Study on Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare
• Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance [PDF 736kB] (February 2024): Federal government pre-Budget submission
• Cannabis Act legislative review submission [PDF 777kB] (Nov 2022): Joint submission from Arthritis Society Canada, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, Canadian Spondylitis Association and Gastrointestinal Society regarding medical cannabis (Section 5) of the Cannabis Act legislative review questionnaire.
• Submission to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board [PDF 138kB] (June 2021): Input into the PMPRB’s Guideline on Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
• Letter to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization [PDF 361kB] (May 2021):  Joint request from the Arthritis Society, Arthritis Consumer Experts, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance and the Canadian Spondylitis Association for early prioritization of COVID-19 vaccination for arthritis patients who are immunocompromised and immunosuppressed

Provincial pre-Budget Submissions:

• Submission to the Department of Finance and Treasury Board [PDF 785 kB] (February 2024): Government of New Brunswick
• Submission to the Minister of Finance [PDF 920 kB] (February 2024): Government of Manitoba
• Submission to the Minister of Finance [PDF 967 kB] (January 2024): Ontario Government
• Submission to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board [PDF 889 kB] (January 2024): Nova Scotia Government
• Submission to the Ministry of Treasury Board and Finance [PDF 947kB] (January 2024): Alberta Government
• Submission to the Government of Prince Edward Island [PDF 981 kB] (December 2023)
• Submission to the Minister of Finance [PDF 935 kB] (December 2023): Newfoundland and Labrador Government
• Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services [PDF 910 kB] (September 2021): British Columbia Government
• Submission to the Minister of Finance [PDF 755 kB] (February 2021): Quebec Government (available in French only)

The idea: OPERAS
The ideator: Dr. Linda Li
The solution: An app-based program to empower active self-care, capturing information on the go, and providing trends on symptoms, disease activity and treatments for people with arthritis.

Dr. Linda Li, a professor and researcher at Arthritis Research Canada, is also a licensed physiotherapist who has treated many patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

“Over the years, I have heard from people that it’s hard to recall and describe changes in their symptoms to their healthcare providers, especially when they are tired and in a lot pain during a clinic visit,” Li says.

This vagueness about their symptoms and its patterns led Li and her colleagues to create OPERAS, a web platform that allows people living with rheumatoid arthritis to track and monitor their symptoms to get a full picture of their health and any patterns that emerge.

“Eight years ago, we worked with a group of patients with arthritis and did a survey about how digital technology could help. What we learned was that people wanted to use technology to help track their day-to-day symptoms and manage their health,” says Li. “This inspired us to develop a digital platform for people to see their symptoms in patterns. When people can see their own patterns between what they do and how they experience their symptoms over time, they are better equipped for self-care.”

Li and colleagues will use Arthritis Society Canada’s Olga Munari Arthritis Ideator Award funding to do a full market assessment to determine the commercialization and go-to-market strategy for the OPERAS platform. About one of every 100 adults in Canada has rheumatoid arthritis and could benefit from it.

“Knowing we have the possibility to move something from the research space into the hands of people and healthcare professionals is thrilling,” Li says. “We are so happy to have this opportunity.”

Matthew Rosato’s career as an entrepreneur and innovator was inspired by accompanying his son, who lives with cerebral palsy, to physiotherapy.

“I would watch our therapist correct my son’s gait using her hands and voice, guiding his feet in clinic, but had no way to reinforce these movements at home,” says Rosato, an aerospace engineer.

“I realized that motor memory is only learned through repetition and practice and that these improper movements were putting more stress on his joint. There’s a strong likelihood he may develop early hip and knee osteoarthritis.”

Rosato was determined to make it easier for people with early hip and knee osteoarthritis to learn better movement patterns at home and PROVA Innovations was born. Rosato and his team have created the WithinStride® gait training system, the heart of which are wearable insoles that provide real-time gait analysis and training through sensory prompts that correct gait as individuals go through their daily activities.

“This is a non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical method of changing behaviour and aims to reduce the wear and tear on joints,” Rosato says. “The goal is to slow down the progression of the disease and allow gait retraining to happen in a home environment.”

Four million Canadians live with osteoarthritis, and weight-bearing joints such as the knee and hip are most commonly affected.

WithinStride®’s mobile app allows individuals and clinicians to set goals, track progress and provide customized treatment plans.

“It’s an intuitive, non-invasive way to change movement,” Rosato says.

He plans to use his Arthritis Society Canada Ideator Award funding to conduct a clinical trial this fall.

“This award is a big deal for our team,” Rosato says. “Having Arthritis Society Canada as a long-term partner is fantastic. It really is a validation of our work and creates opportunities for PROVA to move forward.” 

The idea: KneeKG, by Emovi
The ideators: Michelle LaFlamme and Alex Fuentes
The solution: A dynamic tool for diagnosing knee osteoarthritis by examining biomechanical markers while the knee is in motion, enabling custom treatment plans.

Having participated in sports activities throughout her life, lawyer and entrepreneur Michelle Laflamme viewed knee pain simply as “part of life”; Knee problems are prevalent, and determining the real problem is often a process of elimination for clinicians because nobody can see inside the knee.

In 2007, Laflamme met a group of orthopedic surgeons and biomedical science researchers, including Alex Fuentes, who also saw the need for better tools to accurately examine the knee.  It is known that even one degree of malalignment can cause stress on the knee, and it is not possible to pick this up with the naked eye or in gait labs. These doctors and researchers created a testing device fitted to examine the knee dynamically, identifying biomechanical markers that indicate causes of pain and symptoms. The exam then suggests a personalized and targeted treatment plan.

Laflamme expressed interest in acquiring and commercializing the device, known as ‘KneeKG.’ Emovi was born in 2008 and Fuentes, part of the research team, joined the fledgling company.

“KneeKG testing can indicate the problem, suggest a treatment plan, and indicate the appropriateness for surgery,” says Fuentes. “This has been proven to reduce pain, improve outcomes and improve quality of life. In Canada, we have also demonstrated that it can reduce waiting lists for the number of people waiting to see a surgeon.”

Presently, only 59 per cent of Canadians requiring knee joint replacements receive them within the six-month recommended timeframe, causing unnecessary, excruciating pain. More than 75,000 Canadians had knee replacements last year.

Today, KneeKG is commercialized in the United States, Europe and Canada, but reimbursement for the exam hasn’t yet been approved in Canada. Laflamme and Fuentes plan to use the funding from the Arthritis Society Canada’s Ideator Award to work with Arthritis Society Canada to establish an expert panel that can advocate for that change in each province.

“We want to make this happen for patients,” says Laflamme. “I’m passionate about innovation in the medical community, bringing better care to patients and making their lives simpler.”

Adds Fuentes, “More and more, clinical guidelines support the value of biomechanical markers and the need to assess them with objective and accurate data. Having the support of Arthritis Society Canada is very important for us.” 

The idea: Guided Hands, by Imaginable Solutions
The ideator: Lianna Genovese
The solution: An assistive device that guides hand movements to enable people with limited hand mobility to write, paint, draw and access technology through a touch-screen device.

An introduction to Elissa, a painter living with cerebral palsy, first inspired Lianna Genovese to design an assistive device to improve hand mobility as an assignment during her first year of engineering school.

When the design not only had an impact, but won first place in a Canadian student competition, Genovese realized she could also help others with limited hand mobility and an entrepreneurial venture was born.

“I decided I wanted to help people and tried to find other Elissas – people with mobility issues due to arthritis or Huntington’s disease, for instance,” says Genovese, winner of the Arthritis Society’s inaugural People’s Choice Arthritis Ideator Award.

Her device, Guided Hands, uses a sliding system and 3D printed handpieces tailored to the user that allows them to express themselves on a touchscreen or in painting, writing and drawing. It also offers an opportunity to build confidence and independence.

Throughout her undergraduate career as a biomedical and mechanical engineering student, Genovese led a double life: student and entrepreneur. When she wasn’t doing coursework, she was applying for grants and patents and working in the family basement building the devices herself.

Genovese plans to apply the funding from her Arthritis Society Ideator Award towards marketing and manufacturing Guided Hands to continue selling her product across North America. She now uses a Canadian manufacturer and recently hired her first employee. She has a team of engineering students assisting with research and is “well supported by mentors who can guide me and lift me up.

“Winning the People’s Choice Award was unbelievable,” she says. “Having people who understand the pain of arthritis cheering me on and believing in the solution is wonderful, and being involved with Arthritis Society Canada opens so many doors.” 

Enjoy these highlights from the menu served at the Arthritis Society’s inaugural Arthritis Ideator Awards. The menu was specially designed by Vikram Vij and created by Marie Brennan of Gourmade Thyme Catering. Every recipe offers anti-inflammatory properties.

Thank you to our catering partner

Ingredients

• ¾ cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 3 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
• ¼ cup canola oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon garam masala or 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 ¼ lbs. boneless chicken thighs, approx. 6 oz per serving
• 1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl combine the yogurt, tamarind, garlic, canola, salt, cayenne and garam massala.
2. Add the chicken, mix and make sure the chicken is covered with the marinade.
3. Cover and marinate for a minimum of 4 hours but 8 is preferred.
4. Preheat a grill, barbeque or stovetop cast-iron grill to high heat.
5. Grill the thighs 2 minutes on each side, then again 2 minutes on each side.
6. Check that the thighs are done, if still pink continue grilling. Serve with the lemon wedges.

Note

• Tamarind paste should be as thick as jam, if thinner use up to 1 tablespoon more.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas drained
• 2/3 cups black tahini
• Zest and juice of 2 lemons or 3 ~ you want about 1/3 cup of lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon cumin or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 handful chopped parsley or other herbs such as za’atar, sumac, pomegranate arils, nuts or seeds as topping + a swirl of extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, honey, cumin and salt in a high-powered blender.
2. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin or salt as needed.
4. Serve in a bowl and sprinkle with desired toppings and a swirl of extra virgin olive oil, alongside pita chips or crudites for dipping.

Notes

• If you have a blender, now is the time to use it! If you don’t, a food processor or lots and lots and lots of elbow grease will work too.
• If using store-bought black tahini, go for the organic kind.
• Dried chickpeas will create a better flavour than canned but takes more time.
• Get playful with toppings.
• Leftover hummus will keep in the fridge for a week.
• Hummus will thicken up in the fridge, so dilute with 1 tablespoon of cold water at a time until you get your perfect consistency again.

Ingredients

• 2 large aubergines (eggplants) cut in half lengthwise (about 500 g each)
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced into half lengthwise
• Sprigs of rosemary and thyme
• Extra virgin olive oil
• ½-¾ cup sour cream or to taste
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (1-2 tablespoons)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cut one eggplant into two halves lengthwise and remove the stem end. Score each cut half in a criss-cross fashion and then rub the surface with one sliced garlic.
2. Break little sprigs of rosemary and thyme and using the stalks, stick several rosemary sprigs on one half the aubergine and several thyme sprigs on the other half. Sprinkle each half with salt and liberally drizzle olive oil over.
3. Place the sliced garlic in the middle and put the halves back together. Wrap the aubergine tightly with aluminum foil and set aside. Repeat the procedure with the remaining aubergine.
4. Bake at 400ºF (200ºC) for 40-60 minutes or until fully cooked, wilted and collapsed. The flesh should be very soft and easy to scoop.
5. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon, remove the large stalks of rosemary and thyme.
6. Chop the scooped-out flesh finely with a large knife.
7. Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan or skillet and cook the flesh over medium high heat until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
8. Remove from the heat and add the sour cream, coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir to combine everything. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
9. Cover and place in the fridge until required (a few hours and up to 3 days).
10. Serve with some garlic bread or breadsticks or veggies stalks.

Thank you to the VIP panel of judges who embraced this competition with enthusiasm.

• Mohamad Fakih, Award-winning restauranteur, business leader and philanthropist
• Ronald Reuben, Founder, CEO and Chair, Medicom Group
• Vikram Vij, Chef and owner of Vij’s restaurants, author and former Dragons’ Den investor
• Nick Yardley, MD, FRCSC, Orthopedic surgeon and Board member, HaloHealth
• Trish Barbato, President and CEO, Arthritis Society

As a web-based medical intake platform, FirstHX integrates with a physician’s electronic health records, empowering people with arthritis to use their own smart phones to provide more robust information while also reducing medical errors and enhancing clinical efficiency. Learn more.

Launched by Cassandra Hui, Heal Mary is a digital tool that leverages machine learning to engage and support people with arthritis during the often-complicated search and application process for a clinical trial that might benefit their health. Learn more.

Because more than 99 per cent of people have genetic variations which affect their response to different medications, Pillcheck combines clinical pharmacy services with DNA analysis to help quickly find the right medication in the right dosage for people living with arthritis and other diseases. Learn more.

Developed by physiotherapists, Joints on Point is a mobile app and web platform delivering educational videos and exercise programs for the knee, hip, low back and wrist to improve the confidence, motivation and symptoms of people living with osteoarthritis. Learn more.

Based in Windsor, Ont.

Inspired by his own experience with arthritis, Stefan Gertz and his team at Cadence Health Analytics, have developed an app that helps healthcare professionals provide more timely care by analyzing real-time patient self-assessment data, while increasing patient engagement in care. Learn more.

Based in Fredericton, N.B.

lex Roberts, Sarah Diaz and Dr. Erik Scheme created eNable Analytics, sensor technology that augments walking aids such as canes and walkers and integrates with a mobile app to monitor the gait of people with arthritis, to predict falls and motivate them to meet their physical activity goals. Learn more.

Based in Toronto, Ont.

As a web-based medical intake platform, FirstHX integrates with a physician’s electronic health records, empowering people with arthritis to use their own smart phones to provide more robust information while also reducing medical errors and enhancing clinical efficiency. Learn more.

Based in Vancouver, B.C.

Launched by Cassandra Hui, Heal Mary is a digital tool that leverages machine learning to engage and support people with arthritis during the often-complicated search and application process for a clinical trial that might benefit their health. Learn more.

Based in Vancouver, B.C.

Imaging Reality is an immersive virtual reality experience narrated by a rheumatologist that will help newly diagnosed osteoarthritis patients better understand their diagnosis, ease their anxiety and support compliance with their treatment plan. Learn more.

Based in Ottawa, Ont.

Developed by physiotherapists, Joints on Point is a mobile app and web platform delivering educational videos and exercise programs for the knee, hip, low back and wrist to improve the confidence, motivation and symptoms of people living with osteoarthritis. Learn more.

Based in Toronto, Ont.

Because more than 99 per cent of people have genetic variations which affect their response to different medications, Pillcheck combines clinical pharmacy services with DNA analysis to help quickly find the right medication in the right dosage for people living with arthritis and other diseases. Learn more.