MSK & Arthritis News

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COVID-19 vaccination and MSK

ARMA BSR BOA RAIRDA

Principles for COVID-19 Vaccination in Musculoskeletal and Rheumatology for Clinicians

(Version 12, 12 September 2022)

Amendment 12th September 2022: Document updated to include latest JCVI and NHSE guidance regarding autumn boosters using second generation bivalent COVID-19 vaccines and results of VROOM study (see section 23 and section 24 respectively)

Amendment 3rd April 2022: Document updated to include latest JCVI and NHSE guidance regarding spring 2022 boosters (see section 22)

Amendment 3rd December 2021: Document updated to include latest JCVI guidance regarding boosters for patients who were eligible for a third primary dose (see end of section 21)

Amendment 13 October 2021: Document updated to include revised BSR wording about third primary dose (section 20).…

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Featured

COVID-19 / Coronavirus info

Last updated 8/11/22

This page lists the most relevant information we can find on COVID-19 relevant to people with MSK conditions. We update this page as new information becomes available. It includes information for professionals, patients, parents and guidance for Wales and Scotland.

Six key resources for MSK.

Key resources

Latest advice for England.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Good communication with patients whose planned care has been disrupted by COVID-19.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/good-communication-with-patients/

Guidance on those eligible for free lateral flow testing in England after 1 April

Government announcement 

Covid-19 community based treatments

Access community-based treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19) updated 6 September 2022

How to access treatments and prescription charges

COVID-19 Therapeutics Clinical Review Panel will determine which at-risk patient cohorts could be eligible for COVID-19 therapies.…

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Three shifts for MSK

ARMA CEOby Sue Brown, CEO ARMA

Last week I was in London with ARMA trustees discussing future plans and opportunities. An optimistic, upbeat meeting full of hope and pride in an organisation that is making a difference. One thing which will make a difference to those opportunities will be the outcome of the Government’s new ten year plan for the NHS.

With the inclusion of MSK in the Major Conditions Strategy we had begun to make progress. It is vital that we don’t lose that.…

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ORUK publishes annual Impact Report

stock imageThe latest Orthopaedic Research (ORUK) Impact Report highlights how the charity continues to make a difference by focusing its investments, partnering with others and supporting the wider MSK research ecosystem through training, events and networking. It continues to be one of the most important funders of MSK research in the UK and the only charity to cover all MSK conditions.

ORUK co-funded research projects worth over £2m in 2023/24. This research funding was allocated to diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention, and a wide range of MSK conditions affecting all body parts including cell bone and soft tissue biology, biomechanics and prosthetics, osteoarthritis, bone fractures, spinal conditions, trauma, bone cancer, rehabilitation and fibromyalgia.…

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MSK Innovation Accelerator programme

The MSK Innovation Accelerator, the UK’s leading entrepreneur programme for early-stage musculoskeletal (MSK) MedTech innovation, will be boosted in 2024/25 by the support of NVIDIA. The programme, which is hosted by MedTech SuperConnector in partnership with Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), was successfully piloted last year. It is designed to accelerate the development of MSK innovation and create and scale early-stage ventures across the UK. It involves a 6-month intensive learning journey, providing participants with entrepreneurship training, masterclasses and access to expertise.…

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NRAS Live – MensRHEUM

Please join NRAS for the next NRAS Live event on Wednesday 27th November, 7pm. This month, it’s Men’s Health Awareness Month and in celebration, NRAS will be highlighting the importance of men’s health, especially for those living with rheumatoid arthritis.

NRAS COO, Stuart Munday will be joined by musician and composer, Krystian Lamb, who lives with RA. Krystian will be sharing his story so far, from diagnosis to now managing his condition and releasing his project, Introspection, which was inspired by his RA journey.…

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Relationships Matter booklet

NRAS is pleased to announce the launch of their new booklet, Relationships Matter, a guide to relationships for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and adult juvenile idiopathic arthritis (AJIA).

A diagnosis of RA or JIA effects every aspect of a person’s life and the lives of those closest to them, including any current or future partner. In this booklet, we discuss a range of topics, including the impact of these conditions on dating, sex and maintaining healthy long-term relationships.

The booklet is inclusive of all sexualities and includes information and tips, as well as anecdotes from people living with these conditions.…

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NHS Change – 10-Year Plan Consultation

The Government has launched ‘Change NHS: help build a health service fit for the future’ to gather feedback to inform decision making on the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England.

Organisations are invited to share their responses to the consultation by 2 December via the online platform, change.nhs.uk.

Members of the public, as well as NHS staff and health experts are also invited to share their experiences, views and ideas for fixing the NHS, with the website remaining open for these responses until the start of next year.…

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Psoriasis Awareness Week 2024 report

The Psoriasis Association sends a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Psoriasis Awareness Week, which ran from October 28th to November 3rd. This year’s theme was ‘Community’ and highlighted the importance of connection and shared experiences.

The Association heard directly from members of the psoriasis community about their lived experiences of psoriasis and the importance of the community. You can find their stories via social media (@PsoriasisUK) and the ‘Your Stories’ section of the psoriasis-association.org.uk…

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Core Skills in Musculoskeletal Care, Birmingham

Versus Arthritis Core SkillsThis one-day course is useful for primary care health professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions. The course focuses on developing the practical skills required in a typical 10-minute consultation, focusing on the knee, shoulder and spine.

Key learning outcomes:

  • Gain confidence in taking an effective history from an MSK patient, including eliciting red flags and psychosocial flags.
  • Be able to demonstrate understanding of examination of the MSK patient, including the discriminating features of the examination.
  • Be able to formulate a management plan, including appropriate investigations, referral, safety net and follow-up.
…

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Data – Impact of osteoarthritis on younger adults

report coverArthritis Action launches new data on impact of osteoarthritis on younger adults.

To support World Arthritis Day, Arthritis Action commissioned YouGov to re-examine data from its 2022 Impact on Daily Life report on the lifestyle impacts for those living with osteoarthritis at a younger age. The resulting new report “The Impact of Osteoarthritis” covers themes such as work, relationships, intimacy, and fertility as well as social life.

Read more on the arthritisaction.org.uk website.