SM Musculoskeletal Disorders

Archive Articles

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The Various Aspects of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Treatment Approaches

Occlusion is biologically defined as the coordinated functional interaction between the various cell populations forming the masticatory system as they differentiate, model, remodel, fail and repair

Talia Becker* 


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Sonographic Diagnosis of Acute Achilles Tendon Tear: A Case Report

Achilles tendon is a common site of foot and ankle discomfort but its rupture is not frequent. It’s a superficial tendon and this lends it to excellent evaluation by sonography instead of magnetic resonance imaging. Recently ultrasonography has been widely used in musculoskeletal practice. We present a case of Achilles tendon ruptures diagnosed based on fundamental sonographic findings.

Arash Babaei-Ghazani¹,², Safoora Ebadi¹,², Bijan Forogh¹,³, and Bina Eftekharsadat⁴*


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Endochondral Ossification Signals May be Important for the Osteoarthritis Progression

Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common skeletal disorders characterized by cartilage degradation and osteophyte formation in joints, is induced by accumulated mechanical stress; however, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism. Several experimental OA models in mice by producing instability in the knee joints have been developed to apply approaches from mouse genetics. Although proteinases like matrix metalloproteases and aggrecanases have now been proven to be the principal initiators of OA progression, clinical trials of proteinase inhibitors have not been successful for the treatment, turning the interest of researchers to the upstream signals of proteinase induction. These signals include under graded and fragmented matrix proteins like type II collagen or fibronection that affects chondrocytes through distinct receptors. Another signal is pro inflammatory factors that are produced by chondrocytes and synovial cells; however, recent studies that used mouse OA models in knockout mice did not support that these factors have a role in the central contribution to OA development. Our mouse genetic approaches found that the induction of a transcriptional activator Runx2 in chondrocytes under mechanical stress contributes to the pathogenesis of OA through chondrocyte hypertrophy. In addition, chondrocyte apoptosis has recently been identified as being involved in OA progression. We hereby propose that these endochondral ossification signals may be important for the OA progression, suggesting that the related molecules can clinically be therapeutic targets of this disease.

Hiroshi Kawaguchi 


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Observations on the Knee Functional Axis During Active Movements

Estimating the Knee Functional Axis (KFA) is crucial to both correctly implanting the prosthesis and accessing the joint kinematics. Researchers have mainly reported KFA by manual management of flexion extension movements, which are passively performed without any voluntary movements. Active touch and movement refers to what is ordinarily called as touching, which is defined as variations in skin stimulation caused by variations in a person’s motor activity.

The difference is very important for the individual. However, it has not been emphasized in the biomechanical literatures. This study aims to confirm the distinction between touching and being touched. We are particularly interested in measuring the Instantaneous Axes of the Knee (IAK) during locomotion. This geometrical “pattern” of the IAK is altered along with the touch pattern by the mechanical necessities of terrestrial movement.

Wangdo Kim¹, Young Choi², and Hong-Gi Lee³*


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Tibial Plateau Fractures in Children: Literature Review and Case Report

Although fractures of the epiphyseal cartilage injuries are common in childhood, epiphyseal fractures involving the proximal tibia entities are very rare and are usually caused by high-energy trauma, with an incidence ranging between 0.5 and 3.1% of patients; peak incidence between the ages 12-14 years in male patients. The aim of this report is describe a case of fracture of the epiphyseal cartilage of a 13 year old boy, a victim of sports trauma showing lateral tibial plateau fracture and epiphyseal cartilage fracture at the same side, not compatible with the classifications of fractures in children.

Omar Ferreira Miguel


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MRI in Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD): A Proposal for Imaging Standardization in Regenerative Medicine

In the last few years, clinical applications of regenerative medicine have been increasing their way in medical practice.

Valerio Di Nicola¹,² and Mauro Di Pietrantonio³*


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The Sacro-Iliac Joint and Low Back Pain Syndromes

The twentieth century epidemic of low back pain has continued unabated into the 21st century. Up to 20% of the Australian population will experience low back pain at some stage of their lives

J Saunders¹, M Cusi¹,³ and H Van der Wall¹,²*