Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory arthropathy. Foot pathology is almost ubiquitous in RA, affecting around 90% of patients during the course of their disease. Many of these require surgery! although reports suggest outcomes are varied and often suboptimal. Research into foot surgery is on the whole limited, methodologically poor, and hampered by a lack of understanding of what patients with RA perceive to be important when determining the outcome of their surgery. The hypothesis for work undertaken in this thesis was that patient specific factors will predict the outcome of foot and ankle surgery in patients with RA. In order to fully explore this, a multi methodological approach was used in a series of coordinated studies. Firstly, a secondary analysis of a large inception cohort of patients with RA was undertaken to explore use of surgical and conservative footcare and identify factors which may differentiate between the two. Then a series of preliminary studies were undertaken to explore what was important to patients when considering the outcome of their operation, compile a list of candidate factors to be tested in the main study, and assess the accuracy of new activity monitors in patients with RA. These preliminary studies then informed the design of a final prospective multicentre cohort of patients undergoing surgery to enable the prognostic ability of candidate factors to be modelled. Results presented in this thesis indicate that patients interpret the outcome of their operation using a multitude of interrelated factors and that further work is required before activity levels can be recorded objectively in patients with RA. Furthermore, patient specific factors may predict both an individual's future need for surgery, and the likely outcome of any surgery. However further work is required to confirm these findings before the evidence can be considered strong enough to inform clinical practice.

Musculoskeletal foot pathology is endemic in patients with rheumatological conditions, with up to 90% of patients reporting current foot pain. However, foot pathology is often trivialised, despite the strong body of evidence showing foot problems are associated with reduced quality of life. The Foot and Ankle in Rheumatology is a unique, comprehensive, and detailed guide to all aspects of the management of foot and ankle pathologies in rheumatic conditions. Written by a team of leading experts, this title provides international perspectives and current state of the art information on foot and ankle pathology across a range of conditions. With over 170 colour images and photographs, practical diagnostic and management techniques are clearly explained with references to the latest guidelines. Rheumatology is a fast-evolving field, with major advances in treatment and management strategies. As the effective management of rheumatological foot and ankle disorders requires and integrated, disease-stage approach across a multidisciplinary team, the Foot and Ankle in Rheumatology has been designed to provide clear, practical, and evidence-based advice for a wide range of health professions, from podiatrists, rheumatologists, and orthopaedic surgeons to occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs that provide disability benefits: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSDI provides disability benefits to people (under the full retirement age) who are no longer able to work because of a disabling medical condition. SSI provides income assistance for disabled, blind, and aged people who have limited income and resources regardless of their prior participation in the labor force. Both programs share a common disability determination process administered by SSA and state agencies as well as a common definition of disability for adults: "the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." Disabled workers might receive either SSDI benefits or SSI payments, or both, depending on their recent work history and current income and assets. Disabled workers might also receive benefits from other public programs such as workers' compensation, which insures against work-related illness or injuries occurring on the job, but those other programs have their own definitions and eligibility criteria. Selected Health Conditions and Likelihood of Improvement with Treatment identifies and defines the professionally accepted, standard measurements of outcomes improvement for medical conditions. This report also identifies specific, long-lasting medical conditions for adults in the categories of mental health disorders, cancers, and musculoskeletal disorders. Specifically, these conditions are disabling for a length of time, but typically don't result in permanently disabling limitations; are responsive to treatment; and after a specific length of time of treatment, improve to the point at which the conditions are no longer disabling.

Emphasizes the importance of early intervention in RA with focus on pharmacologic treatment of RA. Detailed information on the various medications employed in treatment, including corticosteroids, NSAIDs DMARDs, biologic agents, and combination therapy is reviewed, including evidence based data on efficacy, safety, side effects, and monitoring requirements. Clinical evaluation is presented, including lab findings, joint scoring, diagnostic criteria, and radiographic outcomes. Surgical options and the management of advanced RA are disussed.

Now in its 9th edition and fully updated to reflect 21st century podiatric practice Neale's Disorders of the Foot and Ankle continues to be essential reading for students entering the profession, qualified podiatrists and other health care professionals interested in the foot. Written by a renowned team of expert editors and international contributors it gives up-to-date, evidence-based content of the highest quality. Podiatric students should find everything they need within its covers to pass their exams, whilst qualified clinicians will find it a useful reference during their daily practice. All the common conditions encountered in day-to-day podiatric practice are reviewed and their diagnoses and management described along with areas of related therapeutics. - Fully illustrated in colour throughout including over 500 photographs and illustrations. - Complete coverage of podiatric conditions, including Circulatory Disorders, Rheumatic Diseases, Imaging, Foot Orthoses, Pediatric Podiatry, Podiatric Sports Medicine, Podiatric Surgery, Leprosy and Tropical Medicine. - Brand new chapters covering key topics including Complimentary and Integrated Medicine, Forensic and Legal Medicine, Evidence Based Practice in Podiatry and Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

The Oxford Textbook of Rheumatoid Arthritis covers all relevant aspects of the fisease, ranging from basic science, epidemiology, clinical and laboratory assessments, drug and non-drug treatments, and disease outcomes. Written by an international team of experts, it will be an invaluable resource for those involved with people with RA.

Comprehensive and accessible, this unique book emphasizes a practical and evidence-based approach to the foot and ankle in rheumatoid arthritis. Information is concise, up to date, and well illustrated. The team of authors consists of rheumatologists and podiatrists based at the highly respected Foot and Ankle Studies in Rheumatology (FASTER) programme, with contributors including both surgeons and orthotists. A companion DVD contains many video clips of examination and injection techniques and gait analyses, additional downloadable images, assessment tools and an interactive injection resource. Unique - no other text of this nature has been written for podiatrists and rheumatologists. Comprehensive - all major aspects of the disease in relation to the foot and ankle are covered. Companion DVD contains many video clips of examination and injection techniques and gait analyses, additional downloadable images, assessment tools and an interactive injection resource. Practical and evidence-based approach. Up-to-date text incorporates the latest findings from experts in the field.