Arthritis fix: 50% avoided surgery

If you struggle with hip pain from osteoarthritis, there’s good news from a British study published in The Lancet Rheumatology.

Researchers found that a weekly group program combining education and static cycling (spinning) helped people improve their daily function better than traditional one-on-one physiotherapy.

Hip osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability, especially in older adults. While physio and surgery are standard treatments, they’re costly, and waiting lists are long. That’s why researchers explored practical, affordable ways to improve mobility and reduce pain without extra strain on healthcare systems or personal budgets.

The CLEAT trial, conducted in Bournemouth (2020–2023), involved 221 adults with hip osteoarthritis referred for physiotherapy. They were randomly split into two groups:

● CHAIN intervention group: attended 8 weeks of group spinning classes and education sessions

● Usual physiotherapy group: received standard one-on-one physio (in person or by phone)

Results:

● CHAIN group’s daily function scores (HOOS) improved from 60.8 to 73.5

● Physio group improved from 59.3 to 65.4

● CHAIN cost only £4,092 per quality-adjusted life year, well below NHS thresholds

● No serious side effects were reported

● Earlier follow-up showed that more than half of CHAIN participants avoided surgery

Group classes allowed more patients to be treated at once, potentially reducing wait times and easing healthcare burdens.

Bottom line: this combination of spinning and education was more effective and more cost-efficient than standard physiotherapy care.

And you don’t need to wait for a formal program to try it. Use a stationary bike at home or at your gym. Start slow—5 to 10 minutes—and build up as your comfort improves.

But biking isn’t enough to completely reverse arthritis. But this does:

Many of our readers have reversed arthritis symptoms using three simple steps. It works fast — and doesn’t require medications or physio. Learn how here…