MSK & Arthritis News

SMILE-RA e-learning modules

SMILE enables you to find out about different aspects of living with RA in a unique and engaging way and involve your family as you can do it in your own time, at your own pace and re-visit modules of particular interest.

It’s free to register and very easy to use. You select which module you want to watch and there are currently five modules to choose from. We shall be launching the sixth module soon!

The current modules are:

SMILE module names

Visit the nras.org.uk

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What do A.S. patients value and need?

New research from NASS reveals what patients with axial SpA value during diagnosis, treatment and care 

The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has released the findings of its latest research initiative in a report titled ‘What do patients value and need in the diagnosis, treatment and care of axial spondyloarthritis?’ 

The research set out to understand the needs and values of people living with axial SpA in diagnosing and managing the condition and to assess the extent to which these are reflected in people’s experiences of services.…

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Failings in axial SpA care provision

MP led inquiry reveals continued failings in the provision of axial SpA care in England.

Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) are still receiving a poor standard of care and being systematically let down by the health care system, despite an investigation that called for urgent improvements in 2020, according to a new MP led national inquiry.

The findings from the inquiry, led by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Axial Spondyloarthritis (APPG), are based on responses from 85 NHS Trusts and 36 Integrated Care Boards to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.…

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Webinar for social prescribing

12.30 – 1.30pm, Monday 30 January 2023

To support our resource on social prescribing, ARMA is organising a webinar: Understanding musculoskeletal health for social prescribing.

This is aimed at social prescribing services and link workers NOT MSK professionals. Please promote this event to your local social prescribing services.

Sign up here.

It is designed to complement our guide for link workers and social prescribing services.

ARMA would like to thank Arthritis Action for their support of this webinar.

Airing Pain podcast episode: mental defeat

Pain Concern has announced their new podcast episode: Warwick Study of Mental Defeat in Chronic Pain.

Airing Pain #134 description:
What is mental defeat and does it have an impact on the experiences of those living with pain?

In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul Evans interviews the team at the Warwick Study of Mental Defeat in Chronic Pain (WITHIN Project) and research participants, as well as taking part in the study as a participant himself. The study, which runs until May 2023, is investigating how mental defeat can influence pain sensation, sleep patterns, social activity, physical activity and the general health of individuals who have chronic pain.…

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HEE quick guide on Osteopathy published

Health Education England and the Institute of Osteopathy have published a quick guide to support the understanding of the value that osteopaths can bring to productive NHS services.

The guide, which looks to facilitate the best use of the multi-professional workforce, is aimed at clinical leads, workforce leads, operational managers and any senior leaders who are involved in workforce development.

Read the report here.

PCRMM Bloods training

How and Why to Request Blood Tests and How to Interpret the Results” 

PCRMM will be delivering a couple of excellent days of bloods training in the new year. Investigations, interpreting results, chronic pain, fibromyalgia and endocrinology amongst many other topics will be covered over these two days of interactive talks and presentations.

You can book for one or both days, and recordings of the presentations will also be available after the live training days.

 You can see the full timetable and book here.

Women in Orthopaedics webinar

NOA webinar offers opportunity for meaningful conversations about women in orthopaedics.

Following a thought-provoking session at the NOA Annual Members’ Conference in October focussed on Women in Orthopaedics, the NOA hosted a lunchtime webinar to continue the conversation.

Speakers included:

  • Deborah Eastwood, President of the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA), Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.
  • Orla Hennessy, ST4 in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
  • Caroline Hing, Consultant Orthopaedic Knee Surgeon, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.


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Physical Activity Resources from Moving Medicine

Moving Medicine Launches Physical Activity Resources on Anxiety, Type 1 Diabetes, Obesity, and Menopause

Moving Medicine have launched four new resources designed to help healthcare professionals have better conversations about physical activity with people suffering from anxiety, people with type 1 diabetes, people who are obese, and people experiencing menopause.

The free online consultation guides cover the main benefits of physical activity, as well as addressing common barriers that healthcare professionals encounter when talking to people about becoming more active and offering support and ideas on how to navigate them.…

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Failings in osteoporosis diagnosis and care

Parliamentary inquiry finds systemic failings in osteoporosis diagnosis and care 

On Wednesday 30 November 2022, staff members, volunteers and trustees from the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) joined Parliamentarians in Westminster to launch a report based on the findings of the AllParty Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Osteoporosis and Bone Health’s inquiry into primary care. 

Primary care is the front door to the NHS, with GPs playing a vital role in identifying people at high risk of breaking bones before they happen.…

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