Impact in Motion

The finding: Researchers have discovered a fascinating way to ease joint pain: simply being exposed to low-level green light. This groundbreaking study found that green light can help reduce osteoarthritis pain by boosting natural pain-relieving molecules in the blood, which activate the body’s own pain and stress management system, the endocannabinoid system.

The future: For many living with arthritis, current medications don’t always provide relief and can come with safety concerns. That’s why alternative treatments like green light therapy are so exciting. This innovative approach shows real potential to ease osteoarthritis pain, offering a safer, brighter path for managing this challenging condition.

Each year, 10,500 babies in Canada are expected to be born with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, or hip dysplasia – a condition that, if undiagnosed, can lead to lifelong pain, irreversible joint damage, and mobility challenges.

Hip dysplasia increases the risk of hip osteoarthritis and is the leading cause of hip replacements in people under 40. Sadly, current screening approaches may miss up to 90 per cent of infant hip dysplasia cases. Yet, when detected in newborns, it can be easily corrected with a soft brace, eliminating a lifetime of pain and mobility issues as they grow.

Arthritis Society Canada, in partnership with Dr. Jacob Jaremko and his team at the University of Alberta, is revolutionizing hip dysplasia diagnosis through the Newborn Arthritis Prevention Screening (NAPS) Project. This groundbreaking initiative uses advanced AI technology embedded in a portable ultrasound device that can fit in your pocket.

With your support, we are working to bring this innovative technology to Canada’s remote communities, advancing accessible healthcare and providing life-changing care to more babies.