A Werribee man is defying the odds and proving osteoarthritis sufferers can be fit and active.
Paul Rafferty, 41, was diagnosed about six months ago with chondromalacia, a form of osteoarthritis known as “runner’s knee” that causes pain, tenderness and a grinding sensation in knees.
The keen runner and fitter and turner was initially told he had two options – stop running forever or start taking injections that were pricey and might or might not work.
Instead, Mr Rafferty started doing his own research and came across an advertisement for a knee brace called the Unloader, which was known for giving users relief from osteoarthritis pain.
It’s proved to be a winning formula for Mr Rafferty, who will tackle the 5.7-kilometre course at the Melbourne Marathon this month with a group of fellow osteoarthritis sufferers, including model Kris Smith, who recently used the Unloader brace to complete the Kokoda Track.
“I can keep doing everything that I used to do,” he said.
“The brace is very unobtrusive, you don’t really notice it under work clothes and they’re really comfy to wear.
“Just because you’re getting older and your body starts [playing up], you can keep moving – there’s options.”
