Does our body clock hold the key to developing new treatments for arthritis?
Most of us will have felt the temporary effects of a disrupted body clock, whether it’s caused by a long flight, a changing shift pattern or even just a few late nights. Butscientists all over the world now recognise the importance of our biological clocks to lifelong health and well-being.In 2014 Arthritis Research UK invested more than a million pounds into two five-year studies at the University of Manchester investigating how disruption to our daily circadian rhythms is linked to osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. In this edition we’re reporting on how this exciting new research is building our unde...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Whatever the question, we ’ll help you find the answer
Thanks to everything you’ve told us we know that getting the right information and advice is essential to managing your arthritis– from knowing the right questions to ask your GP to finding the latest information on medications or the safest ways to exercise for your type of arthritis.We've been working on a new range of information and advice services for people with arthritis. You can talk to us, email, write a letter or post a question on social media and our dedicated team of advisors will help you find the answer.Our website is packed full of useful information on different types of arthritis. We've also b...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

New NHS funding for alternative treatment could prevent knee osteoarthritis
An innovative treatment for repairing damaged knee cartilage using cell transplantation will now be funded by the NHS, following approval from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). The Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation treatment, more commonly known as ACI, has been developed and trialled during two decades of groundbreaking research supported by Arthritis Research UK.ACI treatment could be life-changing for the estimated 500 people each year who develop a specific type of cartilage damage, usually following a sports injury in their 20s or 30s, which leads to painfulknee osteoarthritis.Until now the only...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Giving people with arthritis 'Access to Work'
With over 30 million working days lost every year in the UK due to arthritis, we know finding and staying in work can be a challenge for people with arthritis. But there’s plenty of evidence that shows working in the right job is good for us, financially, socially and in giving us a sense of purpose and achievement.At Arthritis Research UK we want to make sure everyone with arthritis is aware of, and has fair access to, services to support them to be in work. We’re also campaigning for increased investment in these services and for changes to be made to ensure they work for everyone who needs them.Access to Wor...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Does our body clock hold the key to developing new treatments?
Most of us will have felt the temporary effects of a disrupted body clock, whether it’s caused by a long flight, a changing shift pattern or even just a few late nights. Butscientists all over the world now recognise the importance of our biological clocks to lifelong health and well-being.In 2014 Arthritis Research UK invested more than a million pounds into two five-year studies at the University of Manchester investigating how disruption to our daily circadian rhythms is linked to osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. In this edition we’re reporting on how this exciting new research is building our unde...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Can community walking programmes help people with arthritis to Walk with Ease?
The benefits of moving more for our physical and mental health are undisputed. Staying active is even more important for people with arthritis, as regular exercise keeps the joints moving and muscles and bones strong, easing stiffness and helping us maintain a healthy weight.But when you're dealing with daily pain and fatigue, are fearful of doing further damage to your joints and are lacking in confidence about how to exercise safely, understandably keeping active can feel like a real challenge.That’s why researchers at the University of Aberdeen are exploring if a successful US community walking programme designed ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Are too many people with arthritis having to wait for surgery?
Every year tens of thousands of people with osteoarthritis find joint replacement surgery offers them a new lease of life, enabling them to be more independent. But as the growing pressures on NHS resources hit the headlines again this winter, and stories of surgery rationing become increasingly common, are more and more people with arthritis having to wait too long for the treatment they need?Growing numbers of people are getting in touch to tell us about their operations being delayed or restricted. Sometimes this is due to lifestyle factors, such as their weight or whether they smoke, but it can also be because of winte...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

New funding for specialist arthritis research centres
Arthritis Research UK has announced new funding for three of its flagship research centres. Since launching in 2012, the centres, which specialise in adolescent rheumatology and osteoarthritis, have already laid the foundation for clinical advances. The new funding will run for five years and will help the researchers continue to explore how arthritis develops and potential ways to treat and prevent the condition.Arthritis Research UK supports exceptional research that aims to prevent the onset of arthritis, develop a cure for arthritis and transform the lives people living with the condition. As part of this, the charity ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 8, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Ask your MP to attend our next parliamentary event
We are excited to be holding our first parliamentary event of the year, and we need your help to make it a success! We’ll be hosting a drop-in session on 20th March for MPs to find out what they can do to support their constituents who are living with arthritis.Act now: ask your MP to attend our drop-in event in parliament.The event is being sponsored by Andrew Bowie MP, who is anArthritis Champion. He said,“I’ve always been a big supporter of Arthritis Research UK, having seen family and friends live with the condition. So I am pleased to be sponsoring a drop-in event in Parliament which I hope will help...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 6, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

New study demonstrates no benefit to off-label hand osteoarthritis therapy
A drug that is sometimes used as an off-label treatment forosteoarthritis of the hand may not actually provide the presumed benefits, according to new research. Arthritis Research UK has funded a study from the University of Leeds that calls into question the current practice of offering the drughydroxychloroquine off-label as a means ofpain relief when conventional medication has failed, as the evidence suggests it is likely to be ineffective. No benefit from off-label therapy Currently, the common first-line treatment for hand osteoarthritis is paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs or opioids, but doctors oft...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - February 22, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Cartilage cell transplantation procedure for arthritis approved by NHS
Patients with a certain form ofarthritis have a new preventative treatment option available to them, following the recent NHS approval of a cutting-edge cartilage cell transplantation procedure. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has won approval to be funded across the NHS thanks to a growing body of clinical evidence - supported by Arthritis Research UK and others - that has conclusively demonstrated the considerable benefits the technique offers. How the procedure works ACI is designed to help patients who have small areas of cartilage damage or earlyosteoarthritis of the knee. These conditions can often affect y...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - February 19, 2018 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news