Lay summary
I am a young researcher with a passion for evidence-based practice to inform clinical reasoning. My intention as a clinical researcher is to directly impact patient services, practitioners and the wider NZ health system. Foot osteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem that causes pain, decreased physical function and reduced quality of life. The purpose of this study is to develop an ultrasound atlas (picture-based classification system) to grade the degree of osteoarthritic change in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) (big toe joint). The development of an ultrasound imaging (USI) atlas will provide capacity for earlier detection, standardisation of diagnosis and provide a more sensitive method to classify and grade the disease process. The research will advance clinical decision making and enable the development of more targeted and timely interventions that reduce the burden of OA in the foot.