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Advances in Orthopedic Rehabilitation
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Advances in Orthopedic Rehabilitation

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 6314

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Luigi Tarallo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia - Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
Interests: orthopaedics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, orthopedic rehabilitation makes use of various methods not only for diagnosis, such as the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound or the use of inertial sensors, but also in the therapy of various musculoskeletal pathologies. Utilizing advanced instrumental technologies, clinicians can now accurately measure joint function, muscle performance, and overall human biomechanics. These precise measurements help in diagnosing conditions and planning effective treatments, aiming to demystify the complexities of the musculoskeletal system. However, despite these technological advancements, there remains a gap between research findings in clinical biomechanics and their practical application in routine clinical practice. This gap hinders the improvement of rehabilitation outcomes for impairment and disability. Musculoskeletal disorders in rehabilitation are inherently complex and multi-dimensional, involving not only physical (biomechanical) factors but also psychological, cognitive, lifestyle, social, and neurophysiological factors. Strengthening the connection between clinical biomechanical research and the rehabilitation of the neuromusculoskeletal system is crucial for improving the management of these disorders.                                                                   

This Special Issue of Applied Sciences entitled "Advances in Orthopedic Rehabilitation" aims to highlight recent advances in clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutical aspects of orthopedic rehabilitation through the use of instrumental assessment measures to inform and enhance clinical practice in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. We invite papers that present innovative solutions and approaches, including but not limited to the following:

  • Rehabilitation of the spine (scoliosis, low back pain);
  • Sport rehabilitation;
  • Rehabilitation in cerebral palsy;
  • Rehabilitation in the elderly;
  • Orthopedic rehabilitation;
  • Prevention of fall risks;
  • Muscle, tendon, and joint diseases;
  • Neurological impacts on musculoskeletal health;
  • Neurophysiological aspects of musculoskeletal disorders.

We encourage the submission of original research articles, reviews, and case studies that address these topics and contribute to bridging the gap between biomechanical research and clinical practice.

Dr. Luigi Tarallo
Guest Editor

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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • sport rehabilitation
  • orthopedic rehabilitation
  • musculoskeletal

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

12 pages, 249 KiB  
Article
Which Is the Best Exercise for Abductor Hallucis Activation in Hallux Valgus? A Comparison Study for New Rehabilitation Perspectives
by Giacomo Farì, Laura Dell’Anna, Francesco Paolo Bianchi, Rachele Mancini, Enrica Chiaia Noya, Carlo De Serio, Riccardo Marvulli, Luisa De Palma, Danilo Donati, Roberto Tedeschi, Maurizio Ranieri, Marisa Megna and Andrea Bernetti
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3523; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073523 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 526
Abstract
Background: Hallux valgus (HV) is one of the most common foot deformities and negatively impacts plantar support. The abductor hallucis (AH) is the most important muscle in the etiopathogenesis of hallux valgus, but the effectiveness of its rehabilitation clashes with the difficulty of [...] Read more.
Background: Hallux valgus (HV) is one of the most common foot deformities and negatively impacts plantar support. The abductor hallucis (AH) is the most important muscle in the etiopathogenesis of hallux valgus, but the effectiveness of its rehabilitation clashes with the difficulty of identifying the most suitable exercises to activate it. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare four different therapeutic exercises in the activation of AH in these patients. Methods: In this observational case–control study, 48 patients suffering from hallux valgus of moderate/severe grade, according to traditional radiographic classification and the Manchester scale, were divided into two groups: the case group underwent a monthly rehabilitation protocol for their foot deformity, whereas the control group was only evaluated without any intervention. The exercises were as follows: Toe Spread Out (TSO), Short Foot (SF), Forefoot Adduction (FA), and Flexion of the Metatarsophalanges (FM). Both groups were analyzed at baseline and 1 month later (at the end of rehabilitation for the case group) while performing the four mentioned exercises using a surface electromyograph (sEMG) to record the muscle activity of AH in terms of Root Mean Square (RMS) and Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC). Results: FA was the only exercise to determine a statistically significant improvement in AH at the end of the rehabilitation cycle, both in terms of RMS (p = 0.015) and in terms of MVC (p < 0.0001), whereas the other exercises did not produce any change in muscle activity in the comparison between times and groups or in the related interaction. Conclusions: FA seems to be the best exercise to activate and train AH, so rehabilitation programs for patients suffering from hallux valgus should consider this exercise as the starting point for improving plantar support, always considering the specific characteristics of HV. Further studies are needed to deepen the effectiveness of this exercise, with the aim of implementing rehabilitation strategies and rethinking traditional HV therapies, which are currently predominantly surgical. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Orthopedic Rehabilitation)

Review

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16 pages, 585 KiB  
Review
The Influence of Pelvic Tilt and Femoral Torsion on Hip Biomechanics: Implications for Clinical Assessment and Treatment
by Danilo Donati, Federica Giorgi, Giacomo Farì, Luigi Tarallo, Fabio Catani and Roberto Tedeschi
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9564; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209564 - 20 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3397
Abstract
Background: Hip biomechanics are crucial in understanding movement disorders and joint pathologies. Pelvic tilt and femoral torsion are key factors influencing hip function and stability. This review aims to elucidate their effects on acetabular orientation, hip range of motion (ROM), and associated compensatory [...] Read more.
Background: Hip biomechanics are crucial in understanding movement disorders and joint pathologies. Pelvic tilt and femoral torsion are key factors influencing hip function and stability. This review aims to elucidate their effects on acetabular orientation, hip range of motion (ROM), and associated compensatory mechanisms. Methods: A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Pedro, was conducted. Studies were selected based on Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) criteria, focusing on those examining the relationship between pelvic tilt, femoral torsion, and hip biomechanics. Eight studies were included, utilizing methodologies such as CT imaging, musculoskeletal modeling, and gait analysis, covering populations ranging from asymptomatic adults to elderly women with pelvic retroversion. Results: The review identified significant effects of pelvic retroversion on acetabular anteversion and hip extension. Some studies found no correlation between pelvic index (PI) and acetabular orientation, while others reported a linear increase in acetabular anteversion with pelvic retroversion. Subjects with pelvic retroversion showed greater hip extension. Additionally, femoral anteversion was linked to increased internal rotation and altered hip joint contact forces during gait, with changes in hip ROM and force distribution. No relationship was found between femoral and acetabular anteversion in patients with hip osteoarthritis. Conclusions: Pelvic tilt and femoral torsion significantly affect hip biomechanics, influencing acetabular orientation, ROM, and compensatory mechanisms. Future studies should include symptomatic populations to explore these relationships further. These findings emphasize the critical need for individualized clinical assessments and further research on symptomatic populations to enhance our understanding of pelvic tilt and femoral torsion’s impact on hip biomechanics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Orthopedic Rehabilitation)
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11 pages, 537 KiB  
Review
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Knee Pain: A Scoping Review
by Roberto Tedeschi, Maria Grazia Benedetti, Lisa Berti, Danilo Donati and Daniela Platano
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7100; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167100 - 13 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1307
Abstract
Background: Chronic knee pain in older adults is a prevalent condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential non-invasive treatment option. This scoping review aims to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS in treating chronic [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic knee pain in older adults is a prevalent condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential non-invasive treatment option. This scoping review aims to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS in treating chronic knee pain among older adults. Methods: A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles was conducted, focusing on randomized controlled trials and pilot studies. Studies were included if they met specific Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) criteria. The primary outcomes assessed were pain reduction and functional improvement. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 779 participants. However, the results varied across studies, with some showing minimal differences between active tDCS and sham treatments. Advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), provided insights into the neuromodulatory effects of tDCS, revealing changes in brain activity related to pain perception. Conclusions: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) presents a promising avenue for treating chronic knee pain in elderly individuals. However, the current body of research offers mixed results, emphasizing the need for more extensive and standardized studies. Future research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms, optimizing treatment protocols, and exploring the long-term effects and safety of tDCS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Orthopedic Rehabilitation)
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Other

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21 pages, 4322 KiB  
Perspective
Tradition-Dismissive vs. Tradition Reconceptualization Approaches in Musculoskeletal Care: The Example of Osteopathic Care
by Giandomenico D’Alessandro, Christian Lunghi, Giacomo Consorti, Silvia Zanon, Francesca Berti, Matteo Turinetto, Luca Di Pietrantonio, Mauro Longobardi, Rafael Zegarra-Parodi and Francesca Baroni
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3828; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073828 - 31 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 523
Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal conditions with multisystem comorbidities present significant challenges in terms of prevention and rehabilitation. Despite advances in instrumental technologies for diagnosis and treatment, a gap remains between biomedical research and practical application. Strengthening the therapeutic alliance involves improving patients’ understanding of diagnostics [...] Read more.
Background: Musculoskeletal conditions with multisystem comorbidities present significant challenges in terms of prevention and rehabilitation. Despite advances in instrumental technologies for diagnosis and treatment, a gap remains between biomedical research and practical application. Strengthening the therapeutic alliance involves improving patients’ understanding of diagnostics and treatment, while emphasizing face-to-face interactions. A team of healthcare professionals, promoting an integrated approach combining manual and movement therapies—such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, and osteopathic care—can bridge this gap, promoting well-being through a person-centered framework. Emerging research highlights the role of cognitive, neurophysiological, and sociocultural factors in body perception and health, emphasizing the need for inclusive, culturally sensitive care within osteopathic practice. Methods: We synthesize the available evidence and expert insights to address gaps in the literature. Our approach integrates conceptual analysis with emerging research, applying Driscoll’s reflective model to generate a practical framework rooted in osteopathic principles and clinical experiences. Results: We propose an integrative model incorporating narrative-based sense-making, shared decision-making, mindfulness, and active participation. By blending historical osteopathic principles with modern evidence, the model aims to enhance health resilience, reduce unnecessary interventions, and establish a holistic framework for prevention and rehabilitation. Conclusions: Integrating diverse approaches within osteopathic care refines clinical practices, ensuring a more person-centered, culturally sensitive, and holistic approach to musculoskeletal rehabilitation. This model bridges the gap between tradition and modern evidence, enhancing therapeutic outcomes and fostering an inclusive healthcare system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Orthopedic Rehabilitation)
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