The Cause

Enabling people to live independent healthy lives

We exist to advance understanding of musculoskeletal science & build a strong community of experts.

Poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health affects nearly 19 million people across the UK, causing pain, disability, fatigue and often anxiety, depression or social isolation. This already represents a significant burden on people, society and the NHS and demand will only increase as our population continues to age.

Worsening situation

The disruption to our hospitals caused by the pandemic has worsened the situation, with waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery at record levels: according to British Orthopaedic Association, elective trauma and orthopaedic surgery is the worst affected specialty, with 35,000 people who have waited more than a year and 244,536 who have waited more than 18 weeks for treatment.

Breakthrough innovation

This challenge cannot be solved simply by increasing capacity, but requires new approaches and new ideas for diagnosis and treatment, underpinned by authoritative research studies.

We use our funding to encourage breakthrough research and education programmes in bone, joint and muscle wellbeing and thereby reduce the burden of poor musculoskeletal health on individuals, workplaces and our health system.

We fund innovative research projects in the UK that expand knowledge, improve patient outcomes and pioneer new forms of diagnosis and treatment. Our investment makes a real difference to the lives of millions of people suffering poor MSK health, today and into the future.

Our investment in Research

Our research investments and strategic partnerships with other funding bodies benefit researchers at all levels. Clinical and scientific research is key to the advancement of knowledge and expertise within medical schools in universities and hospitals. Through our funding these institutions are able to provide academic research positions or research fellowships that may not otherwise be possible.

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Our investment in Education

Our lectures, seminars and training events are designed to educate MSK professionals to further improve their understanding of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the management of patients with poor MSK conditions.

 

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Our impact to date

140
Research projects supported by us
£11m
Spent on life-changing Research since 1989
15m
Estimated number of patients indirectly benefited from our charitable activities
1st
MSK charity in the UK supporting early-stage startups with game-changing ideas

We still have a long way to go

Your support will help us continue to fund research in the UK into diagnosis and treatment, improving the quality of people’s lives, keeping them pain-free and helping them to remain active.

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Our MSK Community

We believe that the wider MSK community can have a significant impact on the lives of millions of people. We can share ideas and expertise, champion and celebrate innovation and speak with a common voice in the interests of those who need our help.

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Our Strategy

We focus on diagnostics and treatment to support bone, joint and muscle health.

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