Advances in Bone and Cartilage Diseases

A special issue of Osteology (ISSN 2673-4036).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1644

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Scientific-Pedagogical Unit of Physiotherapy, Rua 5 de Outubro, São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-043 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: human kinetics in the specialty of physiotherapy
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Guest Editor Assistant
1. Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, Social Sciences, Education and Sport School, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, Castêlo da Maia, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
2. Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Scientific-Pedagogical Unit of Physiotherapy, Rua 5 de Outubro, São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-043 Coimbra, Portugal
3. Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (SPRINT), Portugal
Interests: knee; osteoarthritis; physiotherapy; physical therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bone and cartilage diseases continue to be some of the most significant challenges affecting individuals worldwide, with the number of affected people steadily rising. This trend not only highlights the enormous impact these conditions have on public health but also underscores the urgent need for ongoing research and clinical advancements.

Recent progress in our understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms, diagnostic imaging, and innovative therapeutic strategies has ushered in a new era in the management of these diseases. In light of these exciting developments, Osteology is pleased to announce this Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Bone and Cartilage Diseases”. This Special Issue aims to collate and present the latest scientific evidence and clinically relevant data, addressing topics ranging from basic research and innovative diagnostic techniques to comprehensive clinical studies and novel therapeutic interventions.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to submit their original research articles, case series, narrative reviews, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses. Your contributions will be vital in bridging the gap between fundamental scientific discovery and clinical practice, ultimately enhancing our understanding and management of bone and cartilage diseases and improving patient care.

Dr. Rui Soles Gonçalves
Guest Editor

Dr. Ricardo Luis De Almeida Maia Ferreira
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Osteology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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

  • bone
  • cartilage
  • clinical practice
  • research
  • intervention
  • diagnosis
  • epidemiology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2143 KB  
Article
Modified Medial Meniscectomy (MMM) Model to Assess Post-Traumatic Knee Osteoarthritis in Mouse
by Manish V. Bais and Rajnikant Dilip Raut
Osteology 2025, 5(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/osteology5030025 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mechanical, physiological, and biochemical changes contribute to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Specific mouse models that are highly reproducible, less invasive, and easy to use are lacking. This limitation hinders the progress of PTOA-related studies on therapeutic applications. The goal of the study was [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mechanical, physiological, and biochemical changes contribute to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Specific mouse models that are highly reproducible, less invasive, and easy to use are lacking. This limitation hinders the progress of PTOA-related studies on therapeutic applications. The goal of the study was to establish a methodologically innovative, efficient, and less technically challenging surgical model for PTOA. Methods: We developed a modified medial meniscectomy (MMM) model demonstrating high reproducibility and applicability. The MMM model features distinct differences in the execution of transection of the medial meniscus on the lateral side and includes a smaller incision, which enhances reproducibility and is beneficial for studying pain, structure, and function. Results: One month after the MMM surgery, the mice showed increased sensitivity to pain and decreased biomechanical abilities, such as shorter running times and distances. This was further supported by higher Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histology scores, a standardized system for determining the severity and extent of OA in cartilage. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis showed an elevated enrichment of immune activity and bone tissue formation gene sets in the knee joint. Conclusions: Overall, functional studies and transcriptomic analyses suggested that the MMM model can be utilized for future biomechanistic and therapeutic applications and could serve as a new resource for studying PTOA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bone and Cartilage Diseases)
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15 pages, 4160 KB  
Article
Evaluation of the Stress-Shielding Effect of a PEEK Knee Prosthesis. A Finite Element Study
by Mario Ceddia, Arcangelo Morizio, Giuseppe Solarino and Bartolomeo Trentadue
Osteology 2025, 5(3), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/osteology5030024 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 428
Abstract
Background: The long-term success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is often compromised by stress shielding, which can lead to bone resorption and even implant loosening. This study employs finite element analysis (FEA) to compare the stress-shielding effects of a knee prosthesis made from [...] Read more.
Background: The long-term success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is often compromised by stress shielding, which can lead to bone resorption and even implant loosening. This study employs finite element analysis (FEA) to compare the stress-shielding effects of a knee prosthesis made from polyether ether ketone (PEEK) with a traditional titanium Ti6Al4V implant on an osteoporotic tibial bone model. Methods: Stress distribution and the stress-shielding factor (SSF) were evaluated at seven critical points in the proximal tibia under physiological loading conditions. Results: Results indicate that the PEEK prosthesis yields a more uniform stress transmission, with von Mises stress levels within the optimal 2–3 MPa range for bone maintenance and consistently negative or near-zero SSF values, implying minimal stress shielding. Conversely, titanium implants exhibited significant stress shielding with high positive SSF values across all points. Additionally, stress concentrations on the polyethylene liner were lower and more evenly distributed in the PEEK model, suggesting reduced wear potential. Conclusions: These findings highlight the biomechanical advantages of PEEK in reducing stress shielding and preserving bone integrity, supporting its potential use to improve implant longevity in TKA. Further experimental and clinical validation are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bone and Cartilage Diseases)
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22 pages, 1839 KB  
Article
Development of a Clinical Guideline for Managing Knee Osteoarthritis in Portugal: A Physiotherapist-Centered Approach
by Ricardo Maia Ferreira and Rui Soles Gonçalves
Osteology 2025, 5(3), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/osteology5030023 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 773
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most significant diseases globally and in Portugal. Despite the availability of international guidelines, there is a lack of tailored, evidence-based recommendations specifically for Portuguese physiotherapists to manage their knee osteoarthritis patients with non-pharmacological and non-surgical [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most significant diseases globally and in Portugal. Despite the availability of international guidelines, there is a lack of tailored, evidence-based recommendations specifically for Portuguese physiotherapists to manage their knee osteoarthritis patients with non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions. This study aimed to develop a clinical practice guideline that integrates the latest international evidence with local clinical practice data to enhance patient outcomes. Methods: To achieve the objective, a comprehensive search was conducted in November 2024 across major health-related databases, to identify robust and recent evidence regarding the efficacy of non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions, as well as their usage in the national context. Two key sources were identified: An umbrella and a mixed-methods study. Data from both sources were independently reviewed and integrated through a comparative analysis to identify interventions with robust scientific support and high local acceptability. Recommendations were then formulated and categorized into gold (strong), silver (moderate), and bronze (weak) levels based on evidence quality and clinical relevance. A decision-making flowchart was developed to support guideline implementation and clinical usage. Results: The integrated analysis identified three gold-level interventions, namely Nutrition/Weight Loss, Resistance Exercise, and Self-care/Education. Five silver-level recommendations were Aerobic Exercise, Balneology/Spa, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Electrical Stimulation, and Manual Therapy. Similarly, five bronze-level recommendations comprised Kinesio Taping, Stretching, Ultrasound Therapy, Thermal Agents, and Walking Aids. Conclusions: This clinical practice guideline provides a context-specific, evidence-based framework for Portuguese physiotherapists managing knee osteoarthritis. By bridging international evidence with local clinical practice, the guideline aims to facilitate optimal patient care and inform future research and guideline updates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bone and Cartilage Diseases)
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