Musculoskeletal Function in Health and Disease

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to collate recent and novel advances in natural sciences, technology, bioengineering methods, and innovative thinking related to musculoskeletal function in both health and disease. It is estimated that 1.7 billion people suffer from musculoskeletal conditions worldwide, making it the leading contributor to disability. Indeed, lower-back pain has become the primary cause of disability in around 160 countries around the globe. As humans, we use the musculoskeletal system for many diverse functions—structure, movement, storage, biochemical signaling, bioengineering, etc.—and rely upon it for mobility, dexterity, and well-being. However, it is affected by many diseases, often leading to early retirement and subsequently affecting one’s ability to fully participate in society. With population growth and increasing longevity in mind, it is vital that we investigate and address musculoskeletal function in healthy subjects just as much as in diseased contexts.

Musculoskeletal conditions include anything that affects the joints (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, spondylarthritis), the bones (e.g., osteoporosis, osteopenia and associated fragility fractures, traumatic fractures), the muscles and ligaments/tendons (e.g., training of sports athletes, sarcopenia, sprain or strain injuries), and multiple body areas or systems, such as regional (e.g., back and neck pain) and widespread (e.g., fibromyalgia) pain conditions, inflammatory diseases (e.g., connective tissue diseases), vasculitis with musculoskeletal manifestations (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus), or even amputation as a result of disease or trauma.

There is a desperate need for new bioengineering techniques and approaches, such as myoton, multifrequency bioimpedance, and brain–computer interface (BCI) technology, among others, that can give a much-needed insight into musculoskeletal conditions and even be used to bypass failed muscle tissue. These can all be used in connection with training and as functional aids in recovery or simply during adaptation, as a coping method.

Musculoskeletal conditions are the highest global contributor to rehabilitation, including children, accounting for two-thirds of all adult referrals. Finally, musculoskeletal conditions often co-exist or increase the risk of developing other non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, or even mental health illness.

We kindly invite you to contribute any novel, exciting, or challenging findings to this important Special Issue, including reports on clinical or bioengineering trials, animal studies, sport experiments, modeling, and theoretical calculations.

Dr. Adrian Paul Harrison
Dr. Else Marie Bartels
Guest Editors

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