Arthritis News & Musculoskeletal News from ARMA's Members

PCRMM Annual Conference 2022

MSK Across Multi-Disciplinary First Contact Care
11 and 12 November 2022
ONLINE

The Primary Care Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine Society is delighted to announce this year’s conference. The success of past conferences engenders motivation for the Society to try and improve each year and offer more of what will educate, stimulate and benefit you all.

Talks will include ‘Hypermobility Disorders: Common Quandaries in Clinical Practice’, ‘Imaging in Inflammatory Arthritis’ and an ‘Update on Connective Tissue Diseases’ amongst others. There will be breakout rooms again this year for a more interactive experience, on subjects such as ‘FCP – What to Expect’ and ‘Musculoskeletal Problems in Children and Young People’.…

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Guest blog: How treating my RMD has influenced my hopes for the future

By anonymous writer for the EULAR Edgar Stene Prize essay competition, runner-up in the UK national competition

Pain is not something that anyone wants. Chronic illness will rob so much of a person that often, we are only able to see it as stealing from life. For myself, I will never seek to deny the anguish of the first years of my illness with rheumatoid arthritis. I was a shadow, hiding in the corners and trying to find a way out of myself.…

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Ostrich flat feet research

When it comes to pain, what’s right for children’s feet?

People can hold strong beliefs on children’s foot health: from what is worn on the feet, to the use of orthoses. It all comes from a good place and wanting the best for children and young people.

The most common scenario clinicians encounter is symptomatic flat feet. Despite beliefs, we are not sure what the best intervention for symptomatic flat feet is. This is challenging for clinicians when selecting best care and the offering advice to care givers.…

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Health inequalities and Children and Young People

For those with a general interest in health inequalities and children and young people, these resources may be of interest.

Clarifying what we mean by health inequalities for young people
Rachael McKeown and Ann Hagell
December 2021

Youth Health Data
Association for Young People’s Health (AYPH)

The first comprehensive map of young people’s health inequalities in the UK
Health Foundation
May 2022

Four Nation Strategy for Pain Management

The Faculty of Pain Medicine is pleased to announce the publication of a Four Nation Strategy for Pain Management.

This framework, published 30 June 2022, integrates pain management across other stakeholder sectors of health and social care, and aims to help coordinate, deliver and further develop care using resources and pathways already available. It was developed in response to the changes occurring in health care across all four nations and increasing awareness of the importance of pain management.

A range of patient and professional organisations were involved in the development of this strategy document, including ARMA, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, British Pain Society, British Psychological Society, Burning Nights, Chronic Pain Policy Coalition, Pain Concern, The Patient Voice of the British Pain Society, Physiotherapy Pain Association, Pain Nurse Network, Pelvic Pain Support Network, Royal College of Anaesthetists, and Royal Pharmaceutical Society.…

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BMI restrictions on surgery worsen health inequalities

Researchers have found a drop in the number of knee replacement operations carried out in regions of England with restrictions on surgery for overweight patients, with people in more deprived areas worst affected.

The research team from the University of Bristol found that patients needing surgery but who are unable to lose weight are being denied surgery that could ease pain and increase mobility. By looking at patients’ postcodes, the researchers could see that people from more deprived areas appeared more likely to be denied surgery.…

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Anthony Woolf retires from ARMA Board

ARMA bids a fond farewell to Professor Anthony Woolf, who retires from the board of trustees in July.

Tony Woolf served nine years on the ARMA board, two years as vice-chair and seven years as chair. In his role on the board, Tony ardently supported the drive for everyone with MSK conditions to receive appropriate, high-quality interventions to promote their health and well-being in a timely manner. Tony supported ARMA’s aim to engage with policy delivery and practice, better health services for people with MSK and furthering evidence-based MSK pathways, so that there is greater recognition and priority for people’s MSK health.…

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NOA NCIP webinar

NOA webinar: National Consultant Information Portal (NCIP) Orthopaedic Roll Out

6 July 2022
1pm – 2.15pm

The next NOA webinar will look at the National Consultant Information Programme (NCIP) roll out in Orthopaedic Surgery across England.

Speakers include:

Stephen Lowis, NCIP Programme Implementation and Insights Lead, NHS England and NHS Improvement
Marina Bogovac, Head of NCIP, NHS England and NHS Improvement
Deborah Higgs, NCIP Orthopaedic Clinical Lead and Clinical Director Specialist Surgeries, Consultant Shoulder & Elbow Surgeon Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS FT

Constellations, not stars

by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA

Last week I attended a National Voices conference about ICS and the voluntary sector. One thing that really struck a chord with me was a speaker outlining his principles for collaborative success *:

Mission before organisation
Trust, not control
Promote others not yourself
Build constellations not stars

By the time you read this, the new statutory integrated care systems will have some into existence. If they follow these principles, they could contribute a lot to improve health services.…

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PCRMM webinar: All About PMR

19 July 2022

This extremely informative and interesting webinar will discuss in depth the diagnosis and treatment of Polymyalgia rheumatica. It will be hosted by Dr Sarah Mackie and Dr Bharat Kandikonda, both well-known experts in this area.

They will discuss what PMR is, how to diagnose it, how to treat it and when to refer on.

Book you place here.