Disease areas for research

arc funds research that may not be focused directly on a specific condition or disorder; although the overwhelming majority of its research will be relevant to one or more specific conditions.  Unlike single disease charities, arc covers a large number of different disorders and conditions.  Their common factor is that they involve the musculoskeletal system and lead to pain, and or other symptoms, with the potential to lead to disability. 

The following is an indicative (not exhaustive) list of disorders that arc supports.  The areas of concern are in part determined by the availability of other research funders.

Diseases of joints

  • Diseases of joints or arthritis are the core disorders of arc’s interest
  • Other disorders that affect joints by affecting the directly surrounding tissues such as ligaments, tendons and other structures

Other Diseases

arc also supports research into other diseases and disorders that affect the limbs and spine and cause pain and disability. These can be subdivided into:

Diseases of connective and supporting tissues

There are several disorders that affect many organ systems in the body (connective tissue disorders) of which the musculoskeletal system is only one.  Musculoskeletal involvement in some individuals with such disorders may be absent either partly or totally during the course of their illness. 

  • arc will support research into such disorders where musculoskeletal involvement is either frequent, or when present is severe and disabling for the individual

Diseases of bone

  • arc supports research into bone disorders with an emphasis on those that are common and lead to pain and, or disability
  • arc does not support research into malignant tumours of the bone or the consequences of trauma in healthy individuals

Diseases of muscle

  • arc supports research into disorders of muscle that occur as part of the spectrum of connective tissue disorders including inflammatory myopathies
  • arc does not support research into genetic or other congenital muscle disorders such as muscular dystrophy

Diseases of nerves

  • arc supports research into disorders of nerves that occur as part of the spectrum of connective tissue disorders 
  • arc does not support research into disorders that are primarily neurological such as Multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease

Functional disorders

  • arc supports research in to those disorders in which musculoskeletal pain is a predominant feature even in the absence of a demonstrable abnormality in any particular tissue or organ

Policy for distribution between disorders

  • Disorders that affect joints directly or cause symptoms in and around joints take precedence over other disorders