ATLANTA, May 20 The Arthritis Foundation, Southeast Region, Georgia Office announced today that baseball legend Hank Aaron will be participating in the Arthritis Walk-Atlanta on Saturday, May 22nd. Hank will be walking with local members of "Team Hank" to encourage the millions of people suffering with osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain to take action now and to talk to their doctor about treatment options.
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Hank Aaron, who won legions of fans by breaking countless records while never being on the disabled list in his 23 year career, found himself dealing with knee pain once he retired. He was diagnosed with knee OA, and over the years his knee pain increased to the point that he even had trouble walking short distances. As someone who had been physically fit his whole life, Hank was determined to find a way to relieve the pain. Hank talked to his doctor and found a treatment that works for him.
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"The reason I will be walking in the Arthritis Walk is because I don't want people with arthritis to give up. I want them to understand that there is still hope out there for them, and to go to their doctor for advice," said Hank Aaron.
Hank is encouraging Georgians to join him and thousands of others who are affected by arthritis at the Arthritis Walk-Atlanta on Saturday, May 22nd and to support the fight against arthritis by joining www.teamhank.com.
For more information about Arthritis Walk-Atlanta, visit www.arthritiswalkatlanta.org.
About Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and the most common joint condition, worldwide. In the U.S. alone, more than 21 million people suffer from OA -- and more than 14 million of those are estimated to have OA in one or both knees. In knees with OA, the cartilage protecting the ends of the bones gradually deteriorates, and the joint fluid, called synovial fluid, loses its shock-absorbing qualities. Bones may begin to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and loss of movement in the joint. By contrast, a healthy knee's cartilage and lubricating joint fluid protect and cushion the bones, making moving and bending easy.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is the leading health organization addressing the needs of the 46 million Americans, including 300,000 children, living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. The Foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; supporting research and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.
MediaContacts: -------------- Kerry Ludlam Carissa Drew 404-606-2995 617-520-7070 [email protected] [email protected]
SOURCE The Arthritis Foundation, Southeast Region, Georgia Office
