Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.7
3.0
Journals
JCM
Special Issues
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine: Current Challenges and New Perspectives
share announcement

Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine: Current Challenges and New Perspectives

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Rehabilitation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 2822

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Raffaele Vitiello

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli—IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy
Interests: foot and ankle; bone and soft tissue tumor; bone and soft tissue infection; prosthetic joint infection; traumatology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Gianpaolo P. Ronconi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Rehabilitation, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: rehabilitation; telemedicine; sport medicine; regenerative medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following on from the great success of the previous Special Issue (Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: Current Challenges and New Perspectives; https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm/special_issues/0918M9OSM2), we are pleased to present this new collection.

Musculoskeletal diseases play a leading role in modern health systems due to their high prevalence in the general population and the progressive course they take. Furthermore, they often cause disability and absence in the workplace, with a high economic burden. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation and regenerative medicine nowadays represent a discipline in continuous evolution due to scientific and technological advances. Rehabilitation must be part of the integrated care process in orthopedic patients, especially if they are elderly and frail. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation has a wide range of applications, from surgically treated patients to those who present difficulties in the activities of daily life. Another application of musculoskeletal rehabilitation, often underestimated, refers to the treatment of chronic muscular and skeletal pain. Other fields of interest directly related to musculoskeletal rehabilitation and of increasing interest are pre-operative rehabilitation protocols and orthopedic regenerative medicine. The objectives of a correct rehabilitation approach should be to restore the patient to good autonomy and improve their quality of life. Regenerative medicine plays a crucial role in the non-surgical treatment of early-stage pathologies and represents a fundamental pillar in revision surgery and complications treatment (i.e., non-union, infection, and so on).

In this Special Issue, we will focus on the new musculoskeletal rehabilitation and regenerative medicine for orthopedic and chronic pain patients. We invite researchers to share their recent findings in these contexts by inviting original clinical articles, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews focusing on the global aspects of musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Dr. Raffaele Vitiello
Dr. Gianpaolo P. Ronconi
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. Journal of Clinical Medicine 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 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

  • musculoskeletal diseases
  • rehabilitation
  • enhanced recovery after surgery
  • chronic pain
  • disability
  • regenerative medicine
  • personalized medicine

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

18 pages, 1337 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Exergames on Functional Physical Performance in Older Adults with Knee/Hip Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Claudio Carvajal-Parodi, Cristhian Mendoza, Cristian Alvarez, Adolfo Soto-Martínez, David Ulloa-Díaz, Carlos Jorquera-Aguilera and Francisco Guede-Rojas
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(9), 2968; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092968 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 200
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of mobility impairment in older adults, yet few studies have explored exergames (EXGs) as a complementary therapy for knee and/or hip OA (KOA/HOA). This study evaluated the effects of integrating EXGs into conventional therapy (CT) [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of mobility impairment in older adults, yet few studies have explored exergames (EXGs) as a complementary therapy for knee and/or hip OA (KOA/HOA). This study evaluated the effects of integrating EXGs into conventional therapy (CT) on functional mobility. Methods: Sixty participants were randomized into an EXG/CT group or a CT-only group. The interventions lasted 10 weeks (3 sessions/week), and the EXGs were selected from the interactive game Ring Fit Adventure (Nintendo Switch®, Kyoto, Japan). Results: Functional mobility (Timed Up and Go test) significantly improved in the EXG/CT group but not in the CT group. Additionally, lower-limb strength and aerobic endurance increased in the EXG/CT group. No adverse events were reported, and the adherence was high. Conclusions: These findings support EXG-based interventions as a viable complement to CT. Future studies should design OA-specific EXGs and include patient subgroups to expand the impact of interventions using virtual systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine: Current Challenges and New Perspectives)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 18446 KiB  
Article
Effects of a Supervised-As-Needed Home Exercise Program on Scoliosis and Motor Function in Rett Syndrome: A Multiple-Baseline Study
by Alberto Romano, Marina Luisa Rodocanachi Roidi, Miriam Nella Savini, Ilaria Viganò, Michal Dziubak, Luca Pietrogrande, Daniel Sender Moran and Meir Lotan
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(6), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14061873 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Scoliosis is a prevalent comorbidity in Rett syndrome (RTT), often necessitating surgical intervention. This study investigated the impact of a 10-month individualized home exercise program (HEP) on scoliosis progression and gross motor function in girls aged six to 16 years with RTT. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Scoliosis is a prevalent comorbidity in Rett syndrome (RTT), often necessitating surgical intervention. This study investigated the impact of a 10-month individualized home exercise program (HEP) on scoliosis progression and gross motor function in girls aged six to 16 years with RTT. Methods: A multiple-baseline single-case design (AABA) was employed with 20 participants. A remotely supervised HEP, based on established principles focused on posture and physical activity, was implemented daily for at least one hour. The primary outcome was the rate of scoliosis progression assessed through the Cobb angle change measured via spinal radiographs at baseline, pre-intervention, and post-intervention. The secondary outcome was the gross motor function. Results: The HEP did not significantly reduce the rate of scoliosis progression. However, individual responses varied, with three participants showing scoliosis reduction. Significant improvements were observed in gross motor function, particularly in standing, walking, and stair-climbing abilities. Conclusions: The HEP did not significantly impact overall scoliosis progression, but a significant improvement was found in gross motor function. Further research into larger sample sizes is needed to confirm the effectiveness of exercise interventions in people with RTT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine: Current Challenges and New Perspectives)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 5172 KiB  
Article
Polynucleotides High Purification Technology (PN HPTTM) Injection Improves Pain Status and Functional Impairment in Hip and Shoulder Tendinitis
by Paolo Gervaso, Massimiliano Minale and Niccola Funel
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(5), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14051404 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 542
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Tendinopathy is the preferred term to describe various tendon pathologies, including paratendinitis, tendinitis, and tendinosis, in the absence of histopathological evidence in biopsy specimens. The management of tendinopathies is challenging; rest, physiotherapy (such as eccentric training), injections, shock waves, orthotics, medical therapy, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Tendinopathy is the preferred term to describe various tendon pathologies, including paratendinitis, tendinitis, and tendinosis, in the absence of histopathological evidence in biopsy specimens. The management of tendinopathies is challenging; rest, physiotherapy (such as eccentric training), injections, shock waves, orthotics, medical therapy, and surgery are the main therapeutic options offered to the patient. The conservative treatment of tendinopathies is still difficult, but several options have been proposed, including the use of anti-inflammatory molecules. In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of a conservative approach in improving pain and functional improvement in hip bursitis (HB) and biceps tendinitis (BT) patients. Methods: A series of data concerning the application of Polynucleotides High Purification Technology (PN HPTTM) in 47 patients with BT and HB was analyzed. All patients received three bi-weekly injections of PN HPTTM (T0–T2). Follow-up visits were performed at T3 (8 weeks from T2) and T4 (24 weeks from T2). Both the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain assessment and functional impairment (FI) scores were processed in the form of anonymized series for clinical improvement evaluations. Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) in pain reduction (−85%) and functional improvement (+86%) were found at the end of treatment. The levels of patient satisfaction (PS) and Clinical Global Improvement—Impression (CGI-I) were equal to 93% and 98%, respectively. According to the analyses, other patient data (e.g., gender, age, and BMI) did not appear to influence the positive treatment outcomes. Conclusions: The application of High Purification Technology (PN HPTTM) was shown to improve both pain and functional deterioration in patients with tendonitis in a similar manner to other conservative treatments. These retrospective analyses may open up new avenues for the implementation of conservative approaches in patients with tendinitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine: Current Challenges and New Perspectives)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

10 pages, 517 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Effects of Kinesio Tape on Acute Ankle Sprain: A Systematic Review
by Guido Bocchino, Daniele Grassa, Antonio Bove, Matteo Salvini, Rami Kaplan, Emidio Di Gialleonardo, Fabrizio Forconi, Giulio Maccauro and Raffaele Vitiello
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(5), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14051440 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1007
Abstract
Background: An ankle sprain is a frequent musculoskeletal injury, often leading to chronic instability and an increased risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Kinesio Tape, an elastic adhesive tape, is widely used in rehabilitation for its supposed benefits in reducing pain, controlling edema, and improving [...] Read more.
Background: An ankle sprain is a frequent musculoskeletal injury, often leading to chronic instability and an increased risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Kinesio Tape, an elastic adhesive tape, is widely used in rehabilitation for its supposed benefits in reducing pain, controlling edema, and improving ankle function. However, its effectiveness in managing acute ankle sprains remains debated. Methods: This systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence on the impact of Kinesio Taping on pain reduction, edema control, and return to sport in patients with acute ankle sprains. A systematic review was conducted in line with the PRISMA guidelines. The literature from PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library was searched for studies published from 2004 to 2024. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 247 patients with acute ankle sprains. Data on patient demographics, follow-up duration, Kinesio Taping protocols, and clinical outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Results: The review revealed mixed findings. Some studies reported short-term pain relief and reduced need for analgesics in the Kinesio Taping group, especially when combined with manual therapy. However, no significant differences were found in the edema control compared to bracing or casting. Functional recovery, as assessed by scales like the Karlsson scoring scale, showed no clear advantage for Kinesio Taping over other treatments. Conclusions: Kinesio Taping provides limited benefits for ankle sprain management, particularly in terms of long-term functional recovery and edema reduction. While it may offer short-term pain relief, it should be considered as an adjunctive treatment rather than a primary intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine: Current Challenges and New Perspectives)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop