We have been working on musculoskeletal disease and trauma since our group was founded in 1996. 

We are conducting the economic evaluation of the Knee Arthroplasty Trial (KAT) and the Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty Trial (TOPKAT). KAT is the NIHR’s first and longest-running health technology assessment project and the largest randomised trial on joint replacement.  

We have started working on the economic evaluation of ACL STARR trial in collaboration with colleagues in Australia (University of Sydney). This is an NIHR and NHMRC funded collaborative trial comparing repair with reconstruction for patients with ACL injuries. 

We are also conducting the economic evaluation of two inflammatory arthritis trials: Monoclonal Antibody Medications in inflammatory Arthritis (MAMA) trial evaluating continuing biologic drugs in pregnancy; and the trial of patient-initiated care leading to improved outcomes in rheumatology (TaILOR).  

We have conducted economic evaluations as part of mixed methods studies regarding the introduction of national enhanced pathways for joint replacement (ATLAS) and hip fracture (ReFRESH). These have involved combining qualitative work with the analysis of large linked datasets to build models capable of estimating the cost-effectiveness of NHS changes. We have also been involved in work on radial fractures and vertebral fractures (PROVE). 

Past HERC projects have included trial-based economic evaluations on Dupuytren’s disease (RIDD), rotor cuff disorders (UKUFF and GRASP), ACL injury (ACL SNNAP), surgical procedures and rehabilitation in musculoskeletal diseases (SPAARK, CORKA and PROVE) and nail bed injuries (NINJA). We have also developed mapping algorithms on musculoskeletal measures, including the Oxford Knee Score, Oxford Hip Score, WOMAC and SF-12.