Ireland is facing a 'tsunami of pain', with osteoarthritis cases set to double in Ireland by 2030, according to Arthritis Ireland.

It says increasing life expectancy and rising rates of obesity mean that osteoarthritis will affect 28% of the Irish population in 20 years compared to 14% today.

A UK arthritis expert, Prof Philip Conaghan of the University of Leeds, has stressed recently that the myth needs to be dispelled that painful joints are an inevitable part of getting old and that people just have to put up with it.

Recent UK figures show that 71% of people with osteoarthritis are in some form of constant pain and 12% feel the pain is 'unbearable.'

Arthritis Ireland says as well as the health implications, arthritis has a devastating impact on the Irish economy, with estimated costs of €1.6 billion to the State in terms of hours at work lost due to arthritis.

"There is a wide range of thing that people can do to limit the effect of osteoarthritis, including exercising regularly, eating a healthy die and numerous other self-management techniques." Arthritis Ireland said.

The organisation runs a series of 'Living Well with Arthritis' self-management courses throughout the country every year.

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