How we spend the money we raise
Your donations support our vital research programmes to find out more about the causes of arthritis and to provide better treatment for arthritis sufferers. Longer term research aims to find a cure for all the many forms of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and arthritis in children.
Our research committees consider around 400 applications for funding every year and each is assessed to ensure that it meets the aims of arc.
Awards can be made for up to five years, and progress is expertly reported on and monitored.
Broadly, the types of grants awarded are for research into the causes of arthritis, alleviation of pain and symptoms, controlling disease progression, improving joint replacement techniques, and ultimately searching for a cure. Many projects are highly technical and focus on one or two factors to do with one element of a disease or inflammatory response.
For example, research grants are awarded for the following types of projects and programmes:
- Developing anti-TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis beyond existing treatments.
- Identifying the genes linked to the disease in patients with osteoarthritis.
- Developing longer-lasting and durable prostheses, and researching the causes, effects and treatments of infections in joint replacements.
- Improving the treatment of brittle bone disease in children.
- Developing tissue engineering techniques in osteoarthritis by using patients' own cartilage.
- Looking at ways of better targeting drug treatment in arthritis in children and teenagers.
- Examing the role of therapies such as acupuncture and yoga on osteoarthritis and back pain.
For more information on how arc spends its funds see the Research section and for information on how these funds are also used to promote a better understanding of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditons see the Arthritis Information section.
