Author: Garreth

CCAA UCL Blood research video

CCAA bannerEver wondered what happens to your blood when you give it for research?

Children and young people living with paediatric rheumatology conditions told us they wanted to know more about what happens to blood samples donated for research. CCAA – Kids With Arthritis worked with a young person living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and the team at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health to show step-by-step how a blood sample is handled and stored in the laboratories.

By sharing this video, CCAA hopes to help patients and their families feel more informed about what happens when they donate blood samples for research.…

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An important year ahead

ARMA CEOby Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

I’m not sure whether to start with excitement for the year ahead… or an apology for this newsletter arriving later than planned thanks to a small but mighty IT saga behind the scenes. Let’s call it proof that even in a digital age, progress still occasionally involves turning things off and on again.

But delays aside, there’s a real sense of momentum building across our community. This is going to be a pivotal year for ARMA and for MSK health.…

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ORUK invests in medical technology research

Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has announced a £100,000 investment in VerIQ Limited, a UK-based MedTech clinical research accelerator, through a convertible loan agreement. The investment will help advance VerIQ’s mission to transform how medical device and health technology research is delivered; ensuring that exciting new innovations reach our patients faster, with uncompromising scientific integrity.

This strategic partnership reinforces ORUK’s commitment to improve musculoskeletal health and patient outcomes. The funding will enable VerIQ to expand its nationwide network of orthopaedic and MedTech clinical research sites, focusing initially on improved treatment for improved musculoskeletal health.…

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NRAS JoinTogether group meeting

NRAS groupsFor many people, attending a local group in person may not be possible. But with the NRAS JoinTogether digital groups, you can connect online with others who have similar interests and lifestyles. All groups are run by volunteers.

Menopause with IA

A supportive space for women navigating Menopause and Inflammatory Arthritis: this group offers a welcoming, safe space for women to connect, share, and feel heard throughout every stage of menopause—from perimenopause to post-menopause—while also managing life with Inflammatory Arthritis. The meetings will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss practical tips for symptom management, as well as hear expert advice from guest speakers who understand the unique challenges of this journey.…

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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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