KNEESY does it

TV presenter KRIS SMITH shares his journey with osteoarthritis exclusively with Woman’s Day

He’s one of Australia’s fittest imports, but at the age of 29, Kris Smith was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease, aka osteoarthritis. The 39-year-old dad, who is an ambassador for Unloader leg braces, has more than learned to live with his condition, even completing the Kokoda Trail in just three-and-a-half days! Here, he talks about how he copes...

The diagnosis

The symptoms started during my rugby career. I had my first knee reconstruction at 17, the second at 20, and by 25, I had to slow down a lot. I dropped to “semiprofessional” [football] because I couldn’t handle the training. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis after I retired from the game.

Diet overhaul

I eat as much fish as I can, but I’m a single man living by myself so I don’t really cook much! It’s usually a stir-fry or something I can knock up easily. I try to avoid highg acidity y thingsg like alcohol and caffeine. ne.

Eliminating pain

I used to take a lot of anti-inflammatories ories and painkillers, but after I finished playingaying sport, anything labelled “don’t take thishis without food” seemed kind of alarming.ng. Now I take high-potency fish oil tablets.ts. If I’m in a lot of pain, I’ll take ibuprofen.en. It’s amazing how many times your headad will say you can’t do something. Don’t ’t buy into it and you’ll achieve a lot.