About FASTER

• The FASTER group is led by Dr Anthony Redmond, Arthritis Research Campaign Senior Lecturer.

• The FASTER program was established to fulfil five aims:

1. To establish a comprehensive coordinated program of research into the basic science of the mechanical function of the foot and ankle in health and disease.
2. To organise and support a coordinated program of research into the application of treatments for musculoskeletal disorders of the foot and ankle, and the services providing those treatments.
3. To lead and support the uptake of an evidence based approach to, and best practice management of musculoskeletal disorders of the foot and ankle by clinicians in the field.
4. To provide education in the principles of evidence based practice, and widely disseminate the expanding base of relevant good quality evidence.
5. To input into health policy and clinical standards development relevant to the care of musculoskeletal disorders of the foot and ankle.

 

• Activities

• The foot and ankle group runs a portfolio of research projects including laboratory studies, treatment development, clinical trials and health services research.

• Motion Analysis

• Central to the work of the FASTER team is a well equipped motion analysis laboratory situated within the outpatients department at Chapel Allerton hospital. The laboratory supports a variety of studies including work investigating mechanical pathology associated with inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, scleroderma and joint hypermobility syndrome. The lab is equipped with an eight camera digital VICON motion analysis system, along with force and pressure measurement and electromagnetic tracking facilities.

• Clinical Trials

• A large scale study of joint hypermobility (FLEXI) has recently quantified the impact of the disease and a large clinical trial with twelve month follow-up has recently been completed, in which the efficacy of mechanical therapies in treating hypermobile joints has been investigated. We are also near close-out on a large NIHR funded study (CARROT) exploring the efficacy of callus reduction in the long-term care of people with RA. Finally, FASTER provides the lead for the multicentre, arc funded PISCES trial investigating foot problems in people with scleroderma and support to several collaborative studies running across other centres.

• Imaging

• An integrated structure and function approach is being applied in arthritis and selected musculoskeletal disorders, with a range of studies covering the mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and connective tissue disorders as they affect the joints of the foot. Gait laboratory work is combined with the department's strength in magnetic resonance imaging and high resolution ultrasound, and capitalises on the strong links between the academic section and the clinical unit as well as a growing number of collaborations with the University of Leeds Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

• Funding

• Grant funding of more than £1.5m comes from fellowships, project grants and studentships from the Arthritis Research Campaign and the NIHR, as well as industry funded work.

• Application in clinical practice

• The FASTER group provides a national lead for the foot in rheumatology and in 2008 developed a set of national standards of care for foot health services as well as contributing to new NICE guidelines for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

  FASTER has a strong background in developing allied health professionals through a formal programme of research internships and externally funded studentships.