Charity funding helps set up major research programme
The appointment of the UK's first lecturer in rheumatological podiatry has led to the development of a new research programme dedicated to the foot and ankle.
Anthony Redmond returned to the UK after working in academic podiatry in Australia to take up the post at the University of Leeds, which is funded by a five-year grant of £237,092 from medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign (arc).
A number ground breaking projects had already been developed at Leeds by podiatrist Jim Woodburn and rheumatologist Phillip Helliwell, and the appointment has provided a valuable catalyst to draw together experts from other disciplines into a dedicated research programme focussing on the foot and ankle.
The Foot and Ankle Studies in Rheumatology (FASTER) programme includes three consultant rheumatologists and an MRC clinician scientist fellow, as well as Mr Redmond and a number of collaborators. The research portfolio ranges from detailed scientific studies of foot function to clinical trials of treatments and broader health services research.
Already the FASTER team has been successful in being awarded a further arc grant of £82,300 to carry out a clinical trial of the effectiveness of foot orthoses in controlling symptoms in people with hypermobility syndrome.
Patient care will benefit immediately with the development of a best practice model for foot health services in rheumatology for implementation at Leeds General Infirmary, based on an extensive review of current approaches and a national survey of current practice in rheumatology. Further links are being developed with groups in the university and the NHS, and with the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, and other grants are in the pipeline.
"The last part of the jigsaw is then to develop educational approaches so that doctors are aware of the most current knowledge relevant to the foot and ankle, and that podiatrists are better aware of the systemic and medical implications of musculoskeletal disorders," explained Mr Redmond.
Up to 90 per cent of people with rheumatoid arthritis have foot disorders, and foot problems affect three quarters of the population during their lifetime.
"The work undertaken by FASTER will improve the scientific understanding of this important and potentially troublesome part of the body," added Mr Redmond. "There is real potential to use this improved understanding to devise, implement and evaluate treatments that may go on to make a significant difference to the lives of the large number of people who experience foot trouble."
