Submit to Biomedicines Review for Biomedicines Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 23179

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

VALTRADOFI Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Universidad Camilo José Cela, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain
Interests: ultrasound imaging; neck pain; low back pain; myofascial pain syndromes; elastography; chronic pain; dry needling; manual therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Gustavo Plaza-Manzano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: manual therapy; myofascial pain syndromes; neuropathic pain; neck pain; low back pain; chronic pain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading contributor to disability around the world. Although most musculoskeletal conditions are commonly characterized by pain, there are more than 150 different conditions affecting joints (e.g., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), bones (e.g., osteoporosis and fractures), and muscles (e.g., myofascial pain syndromes and sarcopenia). Basic and clinical research currently aims to understand the pathogenesis peculiarities of each musculoskeletal condition to provide clinicians with evidence-based diagnosis and management recommendations.

This Special Issue, focused on musculoskeletal disorders, aims to collect high-quality articles in the understanding of different musculoskeletal conditions pathogenesis (e.g., molecular mechanisms and identification of risk factors associated with specific conditions) and novel effective multidisciplinary therapeutics to provide clinicians with novel and evidence-supported recommendations.

Dr. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero
Prof. Dr. Gustavo Plaza-Manzano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

neck pain
low back pain
myofascial pain syndromes
chronic pain
musculoskeletal disorders
disability
pain treatment

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Other

16 pages, 2188 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuromodulation of the Autonomic Nervous System in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Clinical Trial

by Rob Sillevis, Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar, Samuel Fernández-Carnero, Beatriz García-Haba, Eleuterio A. Sánchez Romero and Francisco Selva-Sarzo

Biomedicines 2023, 11(6), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11061551 - 26 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3074

Abstract

Chronic pain is a societal concern influencing the autonomic nervous system. This system can be captured with automated pupillometry. The direct connection between the epidermal cells and the brain is presented as part of the central nervous system, reflecting the modulation of the autonomic system. This study’s aim was to investigate if tape containing magnetic particles (TCMP) has an immediate effect on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and influences chronic low back pain. Twenty-three subjects completed this study. Subjects were randomized to either receive the control tape (CT) or TCMP first. Each subject underwent a pain provocative pressure test on the spinous process, followed by the skin pinch test and automated pupillometry. Next, the TCMP/control tape was applied. After tape removal, a second provocative spinous process pressure test and skin pinch test were performed. Subjects returned for a second testing day to receive the other tape application. The results demonstrate that TCMP had an immediate significant effect on the autonomic nervous system and resulted in decreased chronic lower back pain. We postulate that this modulation by TCMP s has an immediate effect on the autonomic system and reducing perceived pain, opening a large field of future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 3371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Penetration Depth of 905 nm and 1064 nm Laser Light in Surface Layers of Biological Tissue Ex Vivo

by Leon Kaub and Christoph Schmitz

Biomedicines 2023, 11(5), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11051355 - 4 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4399

Abstract

The choice of parameters for laser beams used in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases is of great importance. First, to reach high penetration depths into biological tissue and, secondly, to achieve the required effects on a molecular level. The penetration depth depends on the wavelength since there are multiple light-absorbing and scattering molecules in tissue with different absorption spectra. The present study is the first comparing the penetration depth of 1064 nm laser light with light of a smaller wavelength (905 nm) using high-fidelity laser measurement technology. Penetration depths in two types of tissue ex vivo (porcine skin and bovine muscle) were investigated. The transmittance of 1064 nm light through both tissue types was consistently higher than of 905 nm light. The largest differences (up to 5.9%) were seen in the upper 10 mm of tissue, while the difference vanished with increasing tissue thickness. Overall, the differences in penetration depth were comparably small. These results may be of relevance in the selection of a certain wavelength in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases with laser therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 8139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spread of the Optical Power Emission of Three Units Each of Two Different Laser Therapy Devices Used in Sports Medicine, Which Cannot Be Assessed by the Users, Shown by Means of High-Fidelity Laser Measurement Technology

by Leon Kaub and Christoph Schmitz

Biomedicines 2023, 11(2), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020585 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1551

Abstract

Laser therapy devices (LTDs) operating with near-infrared laser light are increasingly being used in sports medicine. For several reasons, users cannot evaluate whether or not such devices emit laser beams according to the specifications provided by the manufacturer and the settings of the device. In this study, the laser beams from two different LTDs that can be used in sports medicine were thoroughly characterized by measuring the emitted power, pulse shapes and lengths and spatial intensity distributions using professional, high-fidelity laser measurement technology. This was repeated for three units of each LDT independently to distinguish problems of individual units from potential intrinsic instrument design errors. The laser beams from the units of one LTD agreed with the settings of the device, with the measured average power for these units being within 3.3% of the set power. In contrast, the laser beams from the units of the other LTD showed large deviations between the settings and the actual emitted light. This device came with three laser diodes that could be used independently and simultaneously. The average power differed greatly between the units as well as between the laser diodes within each unit. Some laser diodes emitted essentially no light, which could lead to a lack of treatment for patients. Other laser diodes emitted much more power than set at the device (up to 230%), which could result in skin irritations or burning of patients. These findings indicate a need for better standardization and consistency of therapeutic laser light sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

More than Ninety Percent of the Light Energy Emitted by Near-Infrared Laser Therapy Devices Used to Treat Musculoskeletal Disorders Is Absorbed within the First Ten Millimeters of Biological Tissue

by Leon Kaub and Christoph Schmitz

Biomedicines 2022, 10(12), 3204; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123204 - 9 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2000

Abstract

There is increasing interest in the application of near-infrared (NIR) laser light for the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders. The present study thoroughly examined the physical characteristics of laser beams from two different laser therapy devices that are commercially available for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Then, these laser beams were used to measure the penetration depth in various biological tissues from different animal species. The key result of the present study was the finding that for all investigated tissues, most of the initial light energy was lost in the first one to two millimeters, more than 90% of the light energy was absorbed within the first ten millimeters, and there was hardly any light energy left after 15–20 mm of tissue. Furthermore, the investigated laser therapy devices fundamentally differed in several laser beam parameters that can have an influence on how light is transmitted through tissue. Overall, the present study showed that a laser therapy device that is supposed to reach deep layers of tissue for treatments of musculoskeletal disorders should operate with a wavelength between 800 nm and 905 nm, a top-hat beam profile, and it should emit very short pulses with a large peak power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment: Is Surgery Better than Non-Surgical Treatments in Afro-Descendant Populations?

by Fabienne Louis-Sidney, Jean-Florent Duby, Aïssatou Signate, Serge Arfi, Michel De Bandt, Benoit Suzon and Philippe Cabre

Biomedicines 2022, 10(12), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123144 - 6 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1315

Abstract

(1) Background: Limited data are available on lumbar spine stenosis management in sub-Saharan African populations and Afro-descendant patients are underrepresented in European and US clinical trials. We aimed to compare the clinical response between decompressive surgery and conservative treatments in a population of self-reported Afro-Caribbean patients with lumbar spine stenosis over a 2-year follow-up period. (2) Methods: Prospective cohort of 137 self-reported Afro Caribbeans with lumbar spine stenosis based on clinical and radiological criteria. Patients were assigned to decompression surgery or to conservative treatments according to their outcome after a first course of steroid epidural injection and their preferences. The primary outcome was evolution of the Oswestry disability index at 3 months (3 M), 12 M, 18 M and 24 M follow-up. (3) Results: Decrease of ODI was significantly more important in the “decompression surgery” arm compared to “conservative treatment” arm at 3 M, 12 M and 18 M: −17.36 vs. 1.03 p < 10⁻⁴; −16.38 vs. −1.53 p = 0.0059 and −19.00 vs. −4.52 p = 0.021, respectively. No difference was reported at 24 M. (4) Conclusions: In this first comparative study between surgery and conservative treatments in an exclusively afro-descendant lumbar spine stenosis cohort, we report long term superiority of decompression surgery versus conservative treatments over an 18-month period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Antagonism of Neuropeptide Y Type I Receptor (Y1R) Reserves the Viability of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in the Milieu of Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head (ONFH)

by Jih-Yang Ko, Feng-Sheng Wang, Sung-Hsiung Chen, Re-Wen Wu, Chieh-Cheng Hsu and Shu-Jui Kuo

Biomedicines 2022, 10(11), 2942; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10112942 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1446

Abstract

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-Y1 receptor (Y1R) signaling is known to negatively affect bone anabolism. Our study aimed at investigating the impact of NPY-Y1R signaling in the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid-related osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Femoral heads were retrieved from 20 patients with and without ONFH, respectively. The bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from ONFH femoral heads were treated with Y1R agonists and antagonists for subsequent analysis. We showed that the local NPY expression level was lower in ONFH heads. The Y1R agonists and antagonists disturb and facilitate the survival of BMSCs. The transcription of stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was enhanced by Y1R antagonists. Our study showed that the local NPY expression level was lower in ONFH heads. Y1R antagonists facilitate the survival of BMSCs and stimulate the transcription of SDF-1 by BMSCs. These findings shed light on the role of NPY-Y1R signaling in the pathogenesis of ONFH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation among Routinary Physical Activity, Salivary Cortisol, and Chronic Neck Pain Severity in Office Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Juan Antonio Valera-Calero and Umut Varol

Biomedicines 2022, 10(10), 2637; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10102637 - 19 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1246

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the correlation between different aspects of routinary physical activity with chronic neck pain severity indicators and salivary cortisol. This cross-sectional observational study included ninety-four office workers with non-specific chronic neck pain in the analyses. Pain related outcomes (pain intensity, pressure pain thresholds and disability), physical activity outcomes using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and salivary cortisol levels were evaluated. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to investigate internal associations and regression models to explain and calculate which factors contribute to the variance of salivary cortisol and neck pain severity. Female sex (p < 0.01), sedentary behaviors (p < 0.05), and pain sensitivity (p < 0.05) were associated with greater cortisol levels (p < 0.05), but disability and pain intensity were not associated (p > 0.05). Worse disability, pain intensity, and pain pressure thresholds were also associated with lower routinary physical activity (p < 0.05). Regression models explained 20.6% of pain intensity (based on walking time to their workplace, age and pain sensitivity); 27.3% of disability (based on moderate physical activity at home, vigorous physical activity during leisure time and pain sensitivity); 54.2% of pain sensitivity (based on cycling time from home to their workplace, gender and vigorous activity during leisure time) and 38.2% of salivary cortisol concentration (based on systolic pressure, vigorous activity at work and both moderate and vigorous activity at home). Our results demonstrated the association between salivary cortisol concentration with moderate and vigorous physical activity, sitting time at work, and PPTs. However, salivary cortisol was not associated with disability or pain intensity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

14 pages, 914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Protective Effects of Higher Exposure to Aspirin and/or Clopidogrel on the Occurrence of Hip Fracture among Diabetic Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

by Jui-Ting Mao, Jung-Nien Lai, Yi-Hsiu Fu, Hei-Tung Yip, Yen-Chun Lai, Chung-Y. Hsu, Sung-Hsiung Chen and Shu-Jui Kuo

Biomedicines 2022, 10(10), 2626; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10102626 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1203

Abstract

Aspirin and clopidogrel are commonly prescribed alone or together among the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and both agents could affect bone metabolism. This study aimed at demonstrating the effects of the dosage and the duration of aspirin and/or clopidogrel alone or together on the occurrence of hip fracture among T2DM patients. We chose the patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and divided them into four subgroups which are under aspirin monotherapy (78,522 patients), clopidogrel monotherapy (12,752 patients), dual therapy (7209 patients), and patients not taking antiplatelet drugs (401,686 patients). We found that only higher dosage (>360 cumulative daily defined dose (cDDD)) and longer duration (≥3 years) of antiplatelet agents could be associated with lower fracture risk. Compared with the subjects taking <1-year dual agents, the risk of hip fracture was 0.38-fold for the patients taking ≥3-year dual agents. Lower dosage (28–179 cDDD) and shorter duration (1~2 years) could even be associated with higher fracture risk. Overall, the best regimen to fend off the hip fracture was the use of aspirin and clopidogrel for ≥3 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 574 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distress and Sensitization as Main Mediators of Severity in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Structural Equation Model

by Bernard X. W. Liew, Juan Antonio Valera-Calero, Umut Varol, Jo Nijs, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano and César Fernández-de-las-Peñas

Biomedicines 2022, 10(5), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10051188 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2025

Abstract

We aimed to explore a path model identified using a structural equation model (SEM) which best explains the multivariate contributions of sensitization, sensitivity, and emotional variables to clinical severity in women with FMS. Pain features, the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), painDETECT, S-LANSS, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ), the 11-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were collected from 113 women with FMS. Four latent variables were created: severity (clinical pain features), sensitivity (PPTs), sensitization (S-LANSS, CSI, painDETECT), and distress (HADS-A, HADS-D, PCS, PVAQ, TSK-11). Data fit for the measurement model were considered excellent (RMSEA = 0.043, CFI = 0.966, SRMR = 0.067, and NNFI = 0.960). Distress had a significant relationship with the mediators of sleep (β = 0.452, p = 0.031) and sensitization (β = 0.618, p = 0.001). The only mediator with a significant effect (β = 1.113, p < 0.001) on severity was sensitization. A significant indirect effect of sensitization (β = 0.687, p = 0.001) that explained the relationship between distress and severity was also identified. The proposed model suggests that distress and sensitization, together with poor sleep, have a complex mediating effect on severity in women with FMS. The identified path model can be leveraged in clinical trials investigating treatment approaches for FMS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 397 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Association between Sleep Disorders and Sleep Quality in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

by Eleuterio A. Sánchez Romero, Oliver Martínez-Pozas, María García-González, Miguel de-Pedro, María Elena González-Álvarez, Pablo Esteban-González, Rosana Cid-Verdejo and Jorge Hugo Villafañe

Biomedicines 2022, 10(9), 2143; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10092143 - 31 Aug 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3760

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability, the most common form of chronic disease in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and the most severe disease type of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The etiology of TMD is multifactorial, considering parafunctional habits, sleep bruxism, or sleep disturbance as common factors. Insomnia and apnea are the two most frequent forms of sleep disorders in TMD patients. Due to this, the objective of this systematic review was to highlight whether there is currently scientific evidence in the literature describing that patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) are associated with increased sleep disorders or impaired sleep quality. Methods: This systematic review was completed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and was registered with PROSPERO prior to completion of the main search. Original observational studies that analyze the association of sleep disorders and sleep quality in patients with TMJ-OA were included in the present review. Results: 770 studies were screened by abstract and title according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and finally, 7 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis and a total of 772 patients diagnosed with TMJ-OA. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to indicate that patients with TMJ OA are associated with increased sleep disorders or poorer sleep quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions)

► Show Figures