Medical Disclaimer

This Is Not Medical Advice

Joint Journey is an educational and support tool designed to help people preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The information provided through this programme - including exercises, nutritional guidance, and mindset support - is general in nature. It has been developed based on published clinical guidelines and evidence, but it has not been personalised to your specific medical condition.

Always Follow Your Healthcare Team

Your surgeon, physiotherapist, GP, and other healthcare professionals know your individual circumstances. Always follow their specific advice, particularly regarding:

• Whether specific exercises are suitable for you
• Dietary requirements or restrictions related to your health conditions
• Medication and pain management
• Pre-operative instructions (fasting, medications to stop, etc.)
• Post-operative care and rehabilitation

If there is any conflict between the information in Joint Journey and the advice given by your healthcare team, always follow your healthcare team's advice.

Exercise Safety

The exercises in this programme are designed to be safe for most people awaiting joint replacement surgery. However:

• Stop any exercise that causes sharp or sudden pain - mild discomfort during exercise is normal, but sharp pain is not
• If you have any other medical conditions (heart disease, respiratory conditions, balance problems, etc.), consult your GP before starting the exercise programme
• If you have had a recent fall, injury, or change in your condition, speak to your GP before continuing exercises
• Always exercise in a safe environment - hold onto something sturdy if needed, wear appropriate footwear, and ensure the area is free from trip hazards

Nutritional Guidance

The nutritional information, calorie targets, and recipes provided are general guidance only. They are based on standard NHS and British Dietetic Association recommendations.

• Calorie and protein values for recipes are estimates based on standard portion sizes and common UK brands - they are not laboratory-precise
• If you have diabetes, kidney disease, food allergies, or any condition requiring a specific diet, consult your GP or a registered dietitian before following our nutritional guidance
• The weight loss approach used is based on a moderate calorie deficit - we never recommend extreme dieting or very low calorie intake
• If you are underweight (BMI below 18.5), please speak to your GP about nutrition before surgery

Mental Health & Wellbeing

The mindset modules and daily exercises are based on evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioural techniques, relaxation methods, and pain education. They are designed to support your wellbeing during the waiting period.

However, they are not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are experiencing:

• Persistent low mood or depression
• Severe anxiety about your surgery
• Thoughts of self-harm
• Any mental health crisis

Please contact your GP, call the NHS helpline on 111, or in an emergency call 999. You can also contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day).

Your Data

Your account and progress data are handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which explains exactly what we collect, how it is stored and secured, and your rights under UK GDPR. Your data is stored securely in the cloud and syncs across your devices.

We take your privacy seriously. We do not sell, share, or use your personal information for advertising purposes.

Content Sources

The content in Joint Journey has been developed with reference to:

• NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines
• NHS patient information resources
• Published clinical research on prehabilitation for joint replacement
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy guidance
• British Dietetic Association recommendations

While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, this content has not been formally peer-reviewed or endorsed by any of these organisations.

Limitation of Liability

Joint Journey is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We have done our best to provide accurate, evidence-based information, but we accept no liability for:

• Any injury, adverse effect, or outcome resulting from following the exercises, nutritional guidance, or other content in this programme
• Any decisions you make based on information provided by Joint Journey
• Any loss of data or interruption to the service

You use Joint Journey at your own risk. By using this programme, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about Joint Journey, please contact us at hello@jointjourney.org.