Musculoskeletal Disorders: Integrative Insights into Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Strategies, and Rehabilitation

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 1247

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Interests: ultrasound Imaging; rehabilitation; connective tissue; regenerative medicine; sports injuries; biomechanics; neurorehabilitation; musculoskeletal disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain among the leading causes of pain, disability, and loss of productivity worldwide, profoundly affecting individuals across their lifespan. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the current understanding and future directions in the pathophysiology, clinical management, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions. Advancements in molecular biology, neuroimmunology, and tissue biomechanics have shed new light on the complex mechanisms underlying MSDs, ranging from inflammation-driven degeneration to mechanotransductive imbalances within connective and neuromuscular tissues. A central objective of this issue is to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, emphasizing how novel diagnostics, including high-resolution imaging and biomarker analysis, can inform more targeted therapeutic strategies. We invite contributions focusing on innovative pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, including regenerative approaches (e.g., stem cell therapies, platelet-rich plasma, and extracellular vesicles), integrative rehabilitation programs, and emerging technologies such as AI-assisted diagnostics, wearable sensors, and ultrasound-guided therapies. Particular attention will be given to patient-centered, functionally oriented outcomes and the role of personalized rehabilitation pathways in restoring mobility and quality of life. This issue seeks to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue among physiatrists, orthopedists, neuroscientists, bioengineers, and rehabilitation specialists. By integrating diverse perspectives, we aim to redefine the landscape of musculoskeletal medicine and contribute to the development of more effective, individualized, and evidence-based care models.

Dr. Carmelo Pirri
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Life 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

  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • high-resolution imaging
  • biomarkers
  • ultrasound-guided therapy
  • regenerative medicine
  • personalized rehabilitation
  • wearable sensors
  • translational musculoskeletal research

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.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 5270 KB  
Article
Toward a Phenotype-Driven Continuum Model in Trigger Finger: Proposing a Sonographic Framework for Personalized Management
by Sang-Hyun Kim, Jihyo Hwang, Yonghyun Yoon, Jaeik Choi, Gyungseog Ko, Hyeongjik Kim, Dongyeun Sung, Rowook Park, Jaehyun Shim, Jonghyeok Lee, Seungbeom Kim, Youngmo Kim and King Hei Stanley Lam
Life 2026, 16(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16020289 - 8 Feb 2026
Viewed by 890
Abstract
Background: The traditional A1-centric paradigm for trigger finger (TF) management does not fully capture heterogeneous pathology spanning isolated pulley stenosis, tendon degeneration, and impaired tendon–sheath gliding. Methods: A comprehensive literature synthesis (2010–2025) integrating anatomy, biomechanics, and ultrasound-guided interventions was performed to develop a [...] Read more.
Background: The traditional A1-centric paradigm for trigger finger (TF) management does not fully capture heterogeneous pathology spanning isolated pulley stenosis, tendon degeneration, and impaired tendon–sheath gliding. Methods: A comprehensive literature synthesis (2010–2025) integrating anatomy, biomechanics, and ultrasound-guided interventions was performed to develop a testable, phenotype-driven framework. Results: A continuum model is proposed emphasizing (i) origin-to-insertion assessment of the flexor apparatus, (ii) pragmatic ultrasound phenotyping into pulley-dominant, tendon-dominant, and mixed patterns, and (iii) a stepwise, phenotype-matched management pathway incorporating conservative care, ultrasound-guided injection, selected adjuncts (e.g., hydrodissection, prolotherapy, ESWT) for tendon-dominant or mixed presentations, and percutaneous or open release when an A1 bottleneck is confirmed. Conclusions: This framework is presented as a hypothesis to guide standardized reporting, reliability testing, and phenotype-stratified comparative trials, rather than as a validated clinical guideline. This article proposes a novel, phenotype-driven clinical framework to address this limitation. Contemporary evidence is integrated to construct a model emphasizing (i) a whole-length, origin-to-insertion assessment of the flexor apparatus, (ii) sonographic phenotyping into pulley-dominant, tendon-dominant, and mixed patterns, and (iii) a stepwise treatment algorithm integrating conservative care, ultrasound-guided injections, ultrasound-guided percutaneous release, and selected adjunctive approaches such as hydrodissection (HD), prolotherapy (Prolo), and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). While evidence supports individual modalities, the framework’s primary innovation lies in matching interventions to phenotype. This sonographic phenotyping system is presented not as a validated tool, but as a testable hypothesis designed to guide future validation studies. The proposed framework establishes research priorities, including standardized criteria, reliability testing, and comparative effectiveness research for phenotype-stratified management. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop