Former Olympian and javelin world record holder Steve Backley has joined forces with a Hendon hospital to raise awareness about bone and joint health.

Backley is supporting the BMI The Garden Hospital’s Active for Life campaign in an attempt to reduce the number of people who have knee, hip and other joint replacements every year.

The sports star, who underwent a hip replacement in 2005, said: “My need for a hip replacement left me in pain and reduced my mobility. But my hip replacement has completely transformed my life, giving me back both my freedom and mobility.

“I’m supporting BMI Active for Life to highlight the importance of bone and joint health to hopefully help more people lead an active life to reduce their risk of needing joint replacement surgery as they age.”

A survey carried out by BMI The Garden Hospital found that 87 per cent of people in Barnet knew someone or had a family member who had undergone a hip or knee replacement, 76 per cent had a family member who suffered from arthritis and 57 per cent had a family member with osteoporosis.

The research also showed that 93 per cent had never been given any advice from their GP or someone with a medical background on how to look after the health of their bones and joints and 71 per cent of people did not know what effect diet and exercise had on the health of their bones and joints.

As part of the Active for Life campaign, orthopaedic surgeon, Panos Thomas, and his team at BMI The Garden Hospital have put together a guide on how to maintain bone and joint health which can be found at www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/orthopaedics.

As advice line has also been set up for people suffering from joint pain, or in need of an orthopaedic replacement procedure. Call 0808 101 0373.