Innovation in Musculoskeletal Health (ORUK MSK)

The NIHR i4i PDA call 29 invites proposals in Innovation in musculoskeletal health in collaboration with Orthopaedic Research UK.

Introduction

Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) is seeking to co-fund research applications in the October 2024 Product Development Award call 29 of the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme with the aim of transforming Musculoskeletal (MSK) health outcomes through the application of emerging technologies.

In addition to this highlight with ORUK, the i4i PDA Competition 29 is open to any area of unmet need.

Background

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 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

Applicants need to demonstrate:

The novelty of the technology application – this can include the use of well-established technologies in novel ways to address new needs
What the unmet need is that the proposed technology solution addresses
How project outcomes lead to improved MSK care and offer significant added value over current or alternative solutions
How they ensure the acceptability of the technology to people with MSK conditions, their families, healthcare professionals and providers
How the proposed innovative solution could impact or integrate into patients’ daily lives and NHS care pathways
Consideration of potential commercialisation routes for the technology solution which will inform the clinical and health economic evidence that needs to be generated

How to apply

Research proposals must be within the remit of the Product Development Awards or Challenge Awards, please see the Invention for Innovation (i4i) website for details.