Chronic osteoarthritis of the hip is common among Australians aged 60 years or older and total hip replacement surgery is a well-established and highly effective treatment.

This would also help explain why chronic pains such as lower-back pain and osteoarthritis fail to respond well to traditional pain therapies.

Lilly is seeking FDA approval for Cymbalta as a treatment for chronic pain conditions such as knee pain caused by osteoarthritis and lower back pain.