“This funding call provides an excellent opportunity for innovators to continue their development by helping to de-risk the next step. If you’re interested in applying for any of the funding streams or would like to discuss opportunities further, then please get in touch with the team. “
Ben Hugill, Innovation Advisor

Over 20.3 million people in the UK (around a third of the population) live with a MSK condition such as arthritis and low back pain. Not surprisingly MSK conditions account for one in seven of GP consultations and 7.3% of hospital admissions in England. There is also a significant impact on the workplace with MSK conditions accounting for 15% of ‘working days lost’ in 2020.

The size of waiting lists for all hospital procedures has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to The King’s Fund, trauma and orthopaedics, including knee and hip replacements, account for the largest proportion of people on hospital waiting lists in England; over 800,000 people were waiting for T&O surgery in March 2024, the largest total for over a decade.

The key findings of a recent horizon scan report by the NIHR Innovation Observatory and Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) indicated a relatively low level of technological innovation within MSK health compared to other health conditions. The largest proportion of innovative technologies identified, which included the use of apps, wearable devices, VR, AR and robotics, were being developed within the USA, followed by the UK. The new report into level of innovation within MSK Health.

To make a significant contribution to the health of the majority of patients demanding support, and reduce the costs to the NHS, the application of advanced technology must be broadened and accelerated and access to data improved. Scepticism about the use of advanced technology to inform decision making in healthcare, among both healthcare professionals and patients, must also be countered. For further information on the potential application of AI to MSK health, we recommend ORUK’s AI in Orthopaedics Policy Paper.

Aim of the innovation in musculoskeletal health

This highlight notice is intended to support the research and development of advanced technology solutions to improve operational efficiencies and clinical outcomes in people with poor MSK health.

The areas of focus should fall into any of the following areas:

  • Prevention, improving public health awareness and MSK literacy
  • Early diagnosis and intervention
  • Self-management
  • Treatment optimisation
  • Monitoring
  • Risk stratification
  • Optimising clinical pathways
  • Health economics
Further information
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