Musculoskeletal Diseases: Aetiology, Clinical Implications, Rehabilitation and Treatment

A special issue of Journal of Personalized Medicine (ISSN 2075-4426). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Medicine, Cell, and Organism Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2024) | Viewed by 7410

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal diseases have a great socioeconomic impact and are an important cause of disability. Sport, work, genetics, and old age can be causes of these pathologies, which represent an ever-present medical challenge.

This Special Issue aims to explore all the aspects concerning musculoskeletal diseases, starting from clinical complaints, with a special emphasis on pain and its disabling consequences, and continuing with therapy and rehabilitation. In particular, traditional approaches and new treatments will be addressed.

We especially encourage the submission of interdisciplinary works and multi-country collaborative research. We welcome submissions of original research papers using different study designs and critical and relevant reviews, including systematic reviews, methodological papers, and manuscripts that emphasize theoretical content.

Dr. Giacomo Farì
Dr. Andrea Bernetti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Personalized Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • musculoskeletal pain
  • osteoarthritis
  • sport-related disease
  • work-related disease
  • physiotherapy
  • rehabilitation
  • hyaluronic acid
  • interventional physiatry

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1789 KiB  
Article
Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Explore the Effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block in Patients with Post-Stroke Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Retrospective Pilot Study
by Jin-Whan Ryu, In-Su Hwang and Seung-Kyu Lim
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(3), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14030258 - 28 Feb 2024
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Abstract
Post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) poses challenges in pain assessment for survivors. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a treatment, but evaluating its effectiveness is difficult for patients with communication limitations. Edema, a prominent symptom, can serve as an evaluation marker. Bioelectrical impedance [...] Read more.
Post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) poses challenges in pain assessment for survivors. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a treatment, but evaluating its effectiveness is difficult for patients with communication limitations. Edema, a prominent symptom, can serve as an evaluation marker. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), assessing body composition and fluid status, is used independently of patient cooperation. This retrospective, observational pilot study aims to explore BIA’s utility as an assessment tool post-SGB, revealing the effects and time courses of a single SGB on the bodily composition of post-stroke CRPS patients. Seven patients received ultrasound-guided SGB with a 5 mL solution containing 4 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride and 40 mg of triamcinolone into the prevertebral muscle space. BIA compared measures between affected and unaffected arms. The affected arm had higher segmental body water (SBW) and extracellular water ratios before SGB (p = 0.028 and p = 0.018, respectively). The SBW of the affected side, the SBW ratio, and the 1 and 5 kHz SFBIA ratios improved over time (p = 0.025, 0.008, 0.001, and 0.005, respectively). Rapid improvement occurred around 3 days post-injection, with maximum effects within approximately 1 week, persisting up to 3 weeks. SGB successfully reduced edema in post-stroke CRPS patients, with BIA serving as a useful tool for follow-up, facilitating the development of efficient treatment plans. Full article
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10 pages, 418 KiB  
Article
Non-Adherence with Physiotherapeutic Rehabilitation—A Cross-Cultural Adaption of Compliance Parameters into German
by Hassan Tarek Hakam, Jonathan Lettner, Hannes Hofmann, Sebastian Kersten, Felix Muehlensiepen, Roland Becker and Robert Prill
J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(9), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13091353 - 1 Sep 2023
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Abstract
Background: Compliance with rehabilitative physiotherapeutic measures leads to an improvement in outcomes in patients suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. To date, a tool for assessing the parameters that lead to non-adherence to physical therapy does not exist in the German language. [...] Read more.
Background: Compliance with rehabilitative physiotherapeutic measures leads to an improvement in outcomes in patients suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. To date, a tool for assessing the parameters that lead to non-adherence to physical therapy does not exist in the German language. The objective of this paper is to cross-culturally adapt a non-compliance questionnaire to German. Methods: In reference to the “Guidelines for the Process of Cross-Cultural Adaption of Self-Reported Measures”, the questionnaire was translated into German followed by a back-translation into the original language. An expert committee met and refined the pre-final version. A preliminary version was handed out to patients for evaluation of the quality of the resulting German version. Results: After the forward- and back-translation of the questionnaire, some discrepancies were discovered between the translators on the one hand and between the back-translations and the original document on the other. The statistical analysis showed satisfactory results regarding the quality of the questionnaire. Conclusion: The translation and adaption of the items proved to have a high degree of reliability. The German version will be made available for German-speaking researchers and used for evaluating a mobile-application-based physical therapy regimen by the authors of the paper. Full article
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Review

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16 pages, 2350 KiB  
Review
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: Exploring the Necessity of Neuronavigation for Targeting New Brain Regions
by Zoran Velickovic and Goran Radunovic
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(6), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14060662 - 20 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are among the most prevalent rheumatic conditions worldwide. Nonpharmacological interventions have gained scientific endorsements as the preferred initial treatments before resorting to pharmacological modalities. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is among the most widely researched neuromodulation techniques, though it has [...] Read more.
Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are among the most prevalent rheumatic conditions worldwide. Nonpharmacological interventions have gained scientific endorsements as the preferred initial treatments before resorting to pharmacological modalities. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is among the most widely researched neuromodulation techniques, though it has not yet been officially recommended for fibromyalgia. This review aims to summarize the current evidence supporting rTMS for treating various fibromyalgia symptoms. Recent findings: High-frequency rTMS directed at the primary motor cortex (M1) has the strongest support in the literature for reducing pain intensity, with new research examining its long-term effectiveness. Nonetheless, some individuals may not respond to M1-targeted rTMS, and symptoms beyond pain can be prominent. Ongoing research aims to improve the efficacy of rTMS by exploring new brain targets, using innovative stimulation parameters, incorporating neuronavigation, and better identifying patients likely to benefit from this treatment. Summary: Noninvasive brain stimulation with rTMS over M1 is a well-tolerated treatment that can improve chronic pain and overall quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. However, the data are highly heterogeneous, with a limited level of evidence, posing a significant challenge to the inclusion of rTMS in official treatment guidelines. Research is ongoing to enhance its effectiveness, with future perspectives exploring its impact by targeting additional areas of the brain such as the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobe, as well as selecting the right patients who could benefit from this treatment. Full article
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19 pages, 2957 KiB  
Review
The Effects of Back Schools on Non-Specific Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Pablo Hernandez-Lucas, Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez, Juan Lopez-Barreiro and José L. García-Soidán
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(3), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14030272 - 29 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1337
Abstract
Background: Non-specific back pain is a global concern. Exercise and health education are crucial components in its management. The Back School is a theoretical practical program that integrates both elements. The objective of this study is to determine if Back School-based programs are [...] Read more.
Background: Non-specific back pain is a global concern. Exercise and health education are crucial components in its management. The Back School is a theoretical practical program that integrates both elements. The objective of this study is to determine if Back School-based programs are effective in reducing pain, disability, and kinesiophobia in patients with non-specific back pain. Methods: A systematic review of research involving participants with non-specific back pain was carried out on databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline. Results: In total, 25 papers were chosen for review. All of these papers focused on the effects on the lumbar area, with the exception of one paper that specifically targeted the cervical region. The pain variable showed statistically significant results with standardized mean differences of −1.01 (950 confidence interval = −1.39 to −0.63; p < 0.001), and the disability variable had standardized mean differences of −0.98 (95% confidence interval = −1.38 to −0.58; p < 0.001), and only one study analysed the kinesiophobia variable and concluded that Back School programs have a positive effect on kinesiophobia between the baseline and post-intervention levels. Conclusions: Back School programs have shown effectiveness in reducing non-specific back pain and lowering disability rates. Full article
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23 pages, 1817 KiB  
Review
Clinical and Biochemical Implications of Hyaluronic Acid in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Review
by Giorgia Natalia Iaconisi, Nunzia Gallo, Laura Caforio, Vincenzo Ricci, Giuseppe Fiermonte, Simone Della Tommasa, Andrea Bernetti, Vincenza Dolce, Giacomo Farì and Loredana Capobianco
J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(12), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13121647 - 26 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2313
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) naturally occurs as a biopolymer in the human body, primarily in connective tissues like joints and skin. Functioning as a vital element of synovial fluid, it lubricates joints, facilitating fluid movement and diminishing bone friction to protect articular well-being. Its [...] Read more.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) naturally occurs as a biopolymer in the human body, primarily in connective tissues like joints and skin. Functioning as a vital element of synovial fluid, it lubricates joints, facilitating fluid movement and diminishing bone friction to protect articular well-being. Its distinctive attributes encompass notable viscosity and water retention capacities, ensuring flexibility and absorbing shock during motion. Furthermore, HA has gained significant attention for its potential benefits in various medical applications, including rehabilitation. Ongoing research explores its properties and functions, especially its biomedical applications in several clinical trials, with a focus on its role in improving rehabilitation outcomes. But the clinical and biochemical implications of HA in musculoskeletal rehabilitation have yet to be fully explored. This review thoroughly investigates the properties and functions of HA while highlighting its biomedical applications in different clinical trials, with a special emphasis on its role in rehabilitation. The presented findings provide evidence that HA, as a natural substance, enhances the outcomes of musculoskeletal rehabilitation through its exceptional mechanical and biochemical effects. Full article
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