Non-surgical management of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction- a UK survey.

Background: Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) is commonly seen within musculoskeletal care. The condition's prevalence and management is poorly understood. This study aims to demonstrate current practice by multi-professional clinicians across the United Kingdom within the National Health Service.

Person-Specific Template Matching Using a Dynamic Time Warping Step-Count Algorithm for Multiple Walking Activities.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a new step-count algorithm, StepMatchDTWBA, for the accurate measurement of physical activity using wearable devices in both healthy and pathological populations. We conducted a study with 30 healthy volunteers wearing a wrist-worn MOX accelerometer (Maastricht Instruments, NL). The StepMatchDTWBA algorithm used dynamic time warping (DTW) barycentre averaging to create personalised templates for representative steps, accounting for individual walking variations.

A multi-professional survey of UK practice in the use of intra-articular corticosteroid injection for symptomatic first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

Background: The first metatarsophalangeal joint is the most common site of osteoarthritis (OA) in the foot and ankle. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are widely used for this condition, but little is known about their use in practice. This study explored current practice within the UK National Health Service (NHS) relating to the administration of intra-articular corticosteroids for people with painful first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) OA.

The short-term impact of non-removable offloading devices on quality of life in people with recurrent diabetic foot ulcers.

Objective: Recurrent diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are associated with poor health-related quality of life and reduced mobility. Current guidelines recommend application of non-removable offloading devices (NROLDs) as they may improve the healing of DFUs, but there is a lack of information on the wider effects of wearing these devices. Few studies have examined the impact of NROLDs on holistic wellbeing or physical activity.

Lateral compression type 1 fracture fixation in the elderly (L1FE): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (with internal pilot) comparing the effects of INFIX surgery and non-surgical management for treating patients with lateral compression type 1 (LC-1) fragility fractures.

Background: Lateral compression type1 (LC-1) fragility fractures are a common, painful injury in older adults resulting in reduced mobility. The incidence of these fractures is increasing with the growing older adult population. The current standard of care is non-surgical management; however, patients with this injury are at risk of long-term immobility and related complications.

Using a modified nominal group technique to develop complex interventions for a randomised controlled trial in children with symptomatic pes planus.

Background: Children with symptomatic flat feet (pes planus) frequently present for care but there remains uncertainty about how best to manage their condition. There is considerable variation in practice between and within professions. We intend to conduct a three-arm trial to evaluate three frequently used interventions for pes planus (exercise and advice, exercise and advice plus prefabricated orthoses, and exercise and advice plus custom made orthoses).

Reliability of slice-encoding for metal artefact correction (SEMAC) MRI to identify prosthesis loosening in patients with painful total hip arthroplasty - a single centre, prospective, surgical validation study.

Objectives: To validate reliability of slice-encoding for metal artefact correction (SEMAC)-MRI findings in prosthesis loosening detection by comparing them to surgical outcomes (gold standard) in symptomatic patients following hip arthroplasties. To evaluate periprosthetic anatomical structures in symptomatic patients to identify an alternative cause of hip symptoms.

Methods: We prospectively followed 47 symptomatic patients (55 hips, 39 painful hips - group P and 16 control hips - group C) at our institution from 2011 to 2016.

Provision of foot and ankle care services for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease across Europe.

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore the variation in the provision of care for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), and foot and ankle problems between European healthcare systems.

Methods: An electronic questionnaire was developed and piloted in seven countries prior to being distributed to the presidents of all 22 national health professionals in rheumatology associations within the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). Summary data were obtained using SPSS V22.

Developing a national musculoskeletal core capabilities framework for first point of contact practitioners.

Objective: We aimed to support service transformation by developing a core capabilities framework for first contact practitioners working with people who have musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods: We conducted a modified three-round Delphi study with a multi-professional panel of 41 experts nominated through 18 national professional and patient organizations. Qualitative data from an open-ended question in round one were analysed using a thematic approach and combined with existing literature to shape a draft framework.

Foot orthoses for people with rheumatoid arthritis: a survey of prescription habits among podiatrists.

Background: Guidelines recommend foot orthoses for people with both early (< 2 years) and established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While prefabricated foot orthoses are cheaper and can exhibit comparable effects to customised devices, the available evidence for their effectiveness is inconsistent. Little is known about what types of foot orthoses clinicians prescribe.

A survey of foot orthoses prescription habits amongst podiatrists in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Foot orthoses are frequently used but little is known about which types are used in contemporary practice. This study aimed to explore the types of foot orthoses currently used by podiatrists and the prescription variations in a range of conditions.

Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional survey was distributed through professional bodies in the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and New Zealand.

Preliminary concurrent validity of the Fitbit-Zip and ActiGraph activity monitors for measuring steps in people with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Background: Activity monitors provide objective measurements of physical activity, however, the accuracy of these devices in people with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain preliminary evidence of the accuracy of two activity monitors and explore if clinical and gait-related factors altered device accuracy in people with PMR.

Methods: The ActiGraph with low frequency extension (+LFE) and standard (-LFE) algorithms, Fitbit-Zip (waist) and Fitbit-Zip (shirt) were concurrently tested using a two-minute walk test (2MWT) and stairs test in 27 people with PMR currently treated with prednisolone.

CODIFI (Concordance in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection): a cross-sectional study of wound swab versus tissue sampling in infected diabetic foot ulcers in England.

Objective: To determine the extent of agreement and patterns of disagreement between wound swab and tissue samples in patients with an infected diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).

Design: Multicentre, prospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Primary and secondary care foot ulcer/diabetic outpatient clinics and hospital wards across England.

National variation in the composition of rheumatology multidisciplinary teams: a cross-sectional study.

The objective of this study is to describe the composition of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) working within rheumatology departments across the UK. All rheumatology departments in the United Kingdom (UK) were invited to participate in a national electronic survey between February 2014 and April 2015 as a part of a national audit for the management of rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis commissioned by Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership. Rheumatology departments were asked to report their MDT composition; defined as a rheumatologist (consultant or specialist trainee), specialist nurse, occupational therapist physiotherapist, and podiatrist.

Interpreting outcome following foot surgery in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Foot surgery is common in RA but the current lack of understanding of how patients interpret outcomes inhibits evaluation of procedures in clinical and research settings. This study aimed to explore which factors are important to people with RA when they evaluate the outcome of foot and ankle surgery.

Methods And Results: Semi structured interviews with 11 RA participants who had mixed experiences of foot surgery were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.

A qualitative study of factors impacting upon the recruitment of participants to research studies in wound care - The community nurses' perspective.

Objective: The focus of this study was to identify the factors that impact upon the recruitment of participants to research studies in wound care from the community nurses' perspective.

Method: A qualitative approach utilising classic grounded theory methodology was used. Semi structured interviews were used to generate data and data analysis was facilitated by using QSR International's NVivo10 qualitative data analysis software (2012).

Videoconferencing for site initiations in clinical studies: Mixed methods evaluation of usability, acceptability, and impact on recruitment.

Background: A critical issue for multicentre clinical studies is conducting site initiations, ensuring sites are trained in study procedures and comply with relevant governance requirements before they begin recruiting patients. How technology can support site initiations has not previously been explored.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate use of off-the-shelf web-based videoconferencing to deliver site initiations for a large national multicentre study.

Prevalence and microbiological characteristics of clinically infected foot-ulcers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective exploratory study.

Background: The prevalence of foot ulcers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported at almost 10 %. These foot ulcers often occur at multiple sites and are reoccurring, with the potential risk of infection increased due to RA diagnosis and disease modifying medications. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of clinical infection in foot-ulcers of patients with RA; describe the microbiological characteristics and investigate risk factors.

Diurnal variation of gait in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: The DIVIGN study.

Background: Circadian variation of joint stiffness (morning stiffness) and its impact on functional ability are widely recognised in rheumatoid arthritis. Subsequent within-day variation of walking ability is important due to the increased availability of instrumented gait analysis. This study aimed to quantify diurnal variation of gait in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and explore associations with disease characteristics.

Concurrent validation of activity monitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Physical activity is frequently reported in rheumatology but it is difficult to measure objectively outside the gait laboratory. A new generation of activity monitors offers this potential but it has not yet been evaluated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to evaluate three types of activity monitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Concordance in diabetic foot ulcer infection.

Introduction: Accurate identification of pathogens, rather than colonising bacteria, is a prerequisite for targeted antibiotic therapy to ensure optimal patient outcome in wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers. Wound swabs are the easiest and most commonly used sampling technique but most published guidelines recommend instead removal of a tissue sample from the wound bed, which is a more complex process. The aim of this study was to assess the concordance between culture results from wound swabs and tissue samples in patients with suspected diabetic foot infection.

Use of conservative and surgical foot care in an inception cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To describe conservative and surgical foot care in patients with RA in England and explore factors that predict the type of foot care received.

Methods: Use of podiatry and type of foot surgery were outcomes recorded in an inception cohort involving nine rheumatology centres that recruited patients with RA between 1986 and 1998 across England. Associations between patient-specific factors and service use were identified using univariate logistic regression analyses.