This session will explore the emerging role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in musculoskeletal medicine, with a focus on knee osteoarthritis, metabolic health, and the practicalities of delivering weight management services. Drawing on complementary expertise in clinical research, health economics, and service implementation, the speakers will present a rounded perspective on how these therapies may shape future musculoskeletal care.
Dr Natalie Shur (Clinical Lecturer, University of Nottingham) will discuss mechanistic insights into GLP-1–related weight loss and pain reduction in knee osteoarthritis. Her presentation will highlight ongoing research into metabolic and inflammatory pathways, addressing how systemic modulation may influence synovial inflammation, joint pain, and longer-term structural outcomes.
Professor Wilby Williamson (Professor, Trinity College Dublin) will present a comparative analysis of practical versus health economic perspectives. He will outline modelling of treatment pathways, cost-effectiveness, and projected outcomes, considering both the financial sustainability of GLP-1–based interventions and their potential population health benefits.
Dr Sam Botchey (Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine) will share practical insights from setting up GLP-1 and lifestyle services in clinical practice. He will discuss pathway design, integration with physiotherapy and nutrition, patient selection, and strategies for combining pharmacological and behavioural approaches.
Dr Stefan Kluzek (Consultant and Professor in Sport and Exercise Medicine) will chair the session and highlight potential concerns regarding bone health, muscle wasting, and impaired innate immunity associated with rapid weight loss.
Dr Stefan Kluzek is a Consultant and Clinical Professor in Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Medicine, with appointments at Wake Forest University (North Carolina, USA) and the University of Oxford (UK). He trained in internal medicine before specialising in Sport and Exercise Medicine, completing his doctorate and lectureship at the University of Oxford, where his research focussed on post-traumatic synovitis and the role of inflammatory pathways in early knee osteoarthritis.
Stefan’s research interests focus on phenotyping for targeted intervention in common musculoskeletal problems, including the use of biomarkers, inflammatory pathways, and metabolic drivers of disease. He has led and contributed to multi-centre studies on knee injury, early osteoarthritis, and joint health, and is actively engaged in translational projects that bridge laboratory science, imaging, and clinical practice. He has published widely in sport and exercise medicine, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal ageing, and collaborates internationally with academic, clinical, and industry partners.
Alongside his academic work, Dr Kluzek is an experienced Sports Physician and has provided care for Olympic and Paralympic athletes across the last four Olympic cycles, as well as for the RFU, RFL, ECB, UK Athletics, and professional football. His career reflects a strong dedication to advancing musculoskeletal science while delivering world-class clinical care that supports performance, recovery, and long-term health
