• An essential companion for community nurses, ward nurses, and all those working with patients with musculoskeletal conditions
• Clinical features and joints affected are clearly presented as figures for quick reference
• Nurse-focussed approach draws together many components of care to encourage a holistic approach to disease-management
• Contains detailed guidance on managing newer therapies from a nurse's perspective

Rheumatic diseases are the most frequently self-reported, long-standing conditions in the UK and there is an increasing demand for rheumatology services in both hospital and community-based environments. There are currently many drivers for change within the field of musculoskeletal nursing, particularly as the elderly and obese populations, and those with chronic long term conditions, are set to rise. In addition, there will now be a stronger emphasis on nurses and practitioners in community care managing many more patients who were traditionally referred to secondary care.

The demand for more rheumatology services has already been identified by the Department of Health with the launch of the Musculoskeletal Strategy Framework. Nurses and other practitioners need to develop their expertise within this field, and the Oxford Handbook of Musculoskeletal Nursing is the ideal tool to help them do so.

Providing busy practitioners with information relevant to delivering care, the Handbook is an easily accessible, practical, informative and up-to-date quick reference guide for those with limited support or knowledge of these conditions who want to know the key components of care and when to refer to specialist members of the musculoskeletal services. Topics include a refresher on key principles of musculoskeletal conditions, and detailed information on the most common musculoskeletal conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and chronic pain. Pharmacological management approaches begin with the consultation and assessment process and build on this information in relation to specific therapies and monitoring side effects and outcomes of treatments. A specific area of interest for many readers will be guidance on the new generation of therapies (biologics) that will increasingly become an area of specialist nursing expertise.

Clearly laid-out and written in readable note-based style with many illustrations, diagrams and resources to aid the reader, the Oxford Handbook of Musculoskeletal Nursing is an invaluable companion to community nurses, ward nurses, and all those working with patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

Readership: Community nurses, ward nurses, specialist nurses and allied health professionals with an interest in rheumatology and musculoskeletal care.

1. Introduction 2. Osteoarthritis 3. Osteoporosis 4. Inflammatory joint diseases 5. Connective tissue diseases 6. Chronic non-inflammatory pain 7. Orthopaedic surgery 8. Assessing the patient: clinical examination and history taking 9. Symptom control 10. Holistic and patient centred care 11. Care in the community 12. Ward based care and referral to the multidisciplinary team 13. Rapid access and emergency issues 14. Pregnancy, fertility and relationships 15. Pharmacological management: pain relief 16. Pharmacological management: disease modifying drugs 17. Blood tests and investigations 18. Intra-articular, subcutaneous and intravenous therapies 19. Non-pharmacological therapies 20. Assessment tools 21. Specialist nursing support: the role and nurse prescribing

Edited by Susan Oliver, Nurse consultant in rheumatology, Chair of Royal College of Nursing Rheumatology Forum and Chief Nurse Adviser for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

Contributors:
Julian Barratt London South Bank University and Melbourne Grove Medical Practice London, UK Sue Brown Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust Bath, UK Maggie Carr Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Trust Chertsey, Surrey, UK Patricia Cornell Poole Foundation Trust Poole, UK Maureen Cox Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Oxford, UK Kate Gadsby Derby Hospitals NHS Trust Derby, UK Alison Hammond Centre for Rehabilitation & Human Performance Research, University of Salford Manchester, UK Benny Harston Hoveton & Wroxham Medical Centre Norwich, UK Sheena Hennell Department of Health Merseyside, UK Diane Home West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust Isleworth, UK Dawn Homer University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Selly Oak Hospital Birmingham, UK Mike Hurley King's College London London, UK Liz Hutchinson Nottingham University Hospitals