MSK & Arthritis News

SMILE-RA – Exercise just got easier

NRAS understands that for people living with rheumatoid arthritis, physical activity is not a short‑term resolution but an important, sustained commitment that supports health throughout the year. SMILE-RA is a free, user friendly program designed to support people living with RA self-manage their condition.

To help individuals incorporate exercise more effectively into daily life, NRAS has refined the original SMILE‑RA Exercise module into two concise components: The Science Explained, which outlines the evidence behind the benefits of regular exercise for heart health, joint function, energy, mood, and overall wellbeing; and Let’s Move, which provides practical, achievable guidance for integrating physical activity into everyday routines in a sustainable and adaptable way.…

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Survey of Physiotherapists Supporting Self-Management

HCPC-registered physiotherapists are sought to participate in a new survey from the University of Hertfordshire:

A Survey of Self-Efficacy and Performance among UK Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists Supporting Self-Management of Chronic Low Back Pain

This is a cross-sectional survey of UK HCPC-registered physiotherapists working in a musculoskeletal setting with a caseload of chronic low back pain patients. The survey will assess self-efficacy and performance among UK MSK physiotherapists in supporting self-management in chronic low back pain patients.

This research will run for about 4 weeks from 19/01/2026, and is expected to close 16/02/2026.…

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PAE Pain Relief Patient study

Pain Alliance Europe is pleased to share an invitation to take part in the QSPainRelief-patientPREF study, an important initiative seeking to better understand the real-life experiences and preferences of people living with chronic pain, with the aim of contributing to improved future treatment options.

Participation in the questionnaire is entirely voluntary, all data are fully anonymised, and once the questionnaire is completed and analysed, the results will be shared with participating patients in an accessible and transparent way.

In this first questionnaire, you will be asked to:

  • Provide your informed consent to participate
  • Answer a few questions to confirm that you meet the study’s inclusion criteria
  • Share some basic identifying information

The questionnaire can be found here.…

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Guy’s Hospital MSK Injection Skills workshop

The Education and Events Team at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is excited to share two upcoming hands-on workshops in early 2026, designed to help you further refine your clinical skills and confidence in upper limb procedures.

🟦 MSK Ultrasound Injection Skills Workshop: Upper Limb Essentials

📅 Saturday 21 March 2026
🕘 09:00 – 13:30
📍 Physiotherapy Department, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT

Take your ultrasound-guided injection skills to the next level with a practical, small group workshop focusing on upper limb sonoanatomy, image optimisation and real-time procedural practice using live models and advanced simulators.…

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SOMM Annual Teachers’ Study Day

SOMM Teachers' DaySOMM Annual Teachers’ Study Day: Reflecting, Sharing, and Planning Ahead

SOMM recently hosted their Annual Teachers’ Study Day, an important event in the SOMM calendar. This day provides a unique opportunity for the teaching team to reflect on the past year, review and refine course content, and share innovative ideas that enhance the learning experience for students. It’s also a time to look forward, ensuring the Society’s teaching remains at the forefront of musculoskeletal medicine.

All courses have now been scheduled for 2026, continuing to uphold the high standards that define SOMM’s programmes.…

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Registration is now open for the NSN 2026 Annual Meeting

A programme of sessions is now available for the NSN study day 2026, “Controversies in Spine Care”,  as part of the National Spine Network 2026 Annual Meeting in Birmingham on Tuesday 10 March 2026.

Registration is now open for the NSN2026 event, and submissions have closed for abstracts. There will be presentations related to spinal care, quality improvement projects, service evaluations, audits, case studies, and clinical research.

Early-Bird Rates END on Tuesday 27 January 2026. 

Visit the event page to register and for more details. …

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APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health

All-Party Parliamentary Group publishes report on osteoporosis

The APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health has published Seen, Heard, Supported: Transforming Osteoporosis Care. Drawing on survey data from over 3,300 patients, the report found more than half of people with osteoporosis had no NHS contact about their condition in the past year. It highlights fragmented pathways, weak long-term condition management, and stark inequalities, and calls for national audit of the entire patient pathway, comprehensive local pathways, and bone health questions to be added to the NHS Health Check.…

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Check out CAT Podcast No. 2

The Cornwall Arthritis Trust is thrilled to be partnering again with Sally Crabtree from Art Connexion to share this, their second podcast episode.

Tune in for inspiring interviews with leading voices—including Professor Tony Woolf and Rachel Faulkner, plus practical tips and empowering advice for anyone living with Arthritis or other MSK conditions.

Whether you’re looking for expert insights or just a bit of motivation, this podcast is for you.

Please take a listen here.