The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon of the human body, and it is frequently injured during sports activity. The incidence of Achilles tendon pathologies has increased over recent decades, especially in the last few years, because of increased sports participation among the general population and due to the diffusion of competitive sports at a high level. Tendinopathies are common in athletes and in middle-aged overweight patients. The term “tendinopathy” refers to a condition characterised clinically by pain and swelling, with functional limitations of tendon and nearby structures, and consequently to chronic failure of healing response process. Tendinopathies can produce marked morbidity, and at present, scientifically validated management modalities are limited. Despite the constantly increasing interest and number of studies about Achilles tendinopathy (AT), there is still not a consensual point of view on which is the best treatment, and its management is still controversial. AT can be treated conservatively primarily, with acceptable results and clinical outcomes. When this approach fails, surgery should be considered. Several surgical procedures have been described for both conditions with a relatively high rate of success with few complications and the decision for treatment in patients with AT should be tailored on patient’s needs and level of activity. The aim of this article is to give insights about the pathogenesis and most used and recent treatment options for AT.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent degenerative progressive joint disease worldwide, with the hand, hip, and knee being the most-affected joints. Actually, no treatment can alter the course of OA, and therapy is directed at reducing pain and improving function. The exogenous administration of collagen has been investigated as a possible symptomatic adjuvant or stand-alone treatment for OA. The aim of this review is to assess if intra-articular collagen administration can be considered as a valid and safe therapeutic option for OA. A search in the main scientific electronic databases to identify the available scientific articles about the effects of intra-articular collagen as an OA treatment was performed. The results of the seven included studies showed that the intra-articular administration of collagen may stimulate chondrocytes to produce hyaline cartilage and hinder the normal inflammatory response leading to fibrous tissue formation, reducing symptoms, and improving functionality. The use of type-I collagen as an intra-articular treatment for knee OA was found not only to be effective, but also safe with negligible side effects. The reported findings are strongly promising, highlighting the need for further high-quality research to confirm the consistency of these findings.

Post-stroke shoulder pain (PSSP) is a debilitating consequence of hemiplegia, often hindering rehabilitation efforts and further limiting motor recovery. With the advent of robotic-assisted therapies in neurorehabilitation, there is potential for innovative interventions for PSSP. This study systematically reviewed the current literature to determine the effectiveness of robotic-assisted rehabilitation in addressing PSSP in stroke patients. A comprehensive search of databases was conducted, targeting articles published up to August 2023. Studies were included if they investigated the impact of robotic-assisted rehabilitation on PSSP. The outcome of interest was pain reduction. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane database. Of the 187 initially identified articles, 3 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 174 patients. The reviewed studies indicated a potential benefit of robotic-assisted rehabilitation in reducing PSSP, with some studies also noting improvements in the range of motion and overall motor function. However, the results varied across studies, with some showing more significant benefits than others, because these use different protocols and robotic equipment.

Background. Poor posture is a common musculoskeletal concern in children and adolescents and may lead to spinal discomfort and long-term structural issues. While excess weight has been linked to altered sagittal alignment, the impact of sports participation on spinal posture remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between weight status, sports participation, and sagittal spinal alignment in a pediatric population. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted within the “Ferrari Formula Benessere” corporate wellness program and included 698 children aged 5 to 16 years. Sagittal Index (SI) was measured using a standardized plumb line technique. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and classified according to the WHO growth standards. Sports participation was self-reported and grouped into five categories: sedentary, skill-based, power-based, mixed, and endurance sports. Results. Age was the only significant independent predictor of the SI (β = 2.45, p < 0.001), with older children exhibiting higher SI values. Although a weak correlation was observed between BMI and SI (Spearman’s r = 0.24, p < 0.001), BMI was not a significant predictor when controlling for age. No significant differences in the SI were found between active and non-active children. Among sport disciplines, the SI was lowest in power-based sports (56.7 ± 22.3 mm) and higher in endurance (62.7 ± 24.4 mm), mixed (64.5 ± 23.2 mm), skill-based (61.1 ± 22.0 mm), and non-sport (64.2 ± 24.0 mm) groups, although these differences did not reach statistical significance (ANOVA p = 0.224). Conclusions. Age appears to be the primary factor associated with sagittal spinal alignment in children, while BMI and general sports participation showed no independent effect. Although some differences emerged between sport types, these findings were not statistically significant and should be interpreted with caution. These findings underscore the need for sport-specific, longitudinal research using objective posture assessment methods.

Background: Pain of musculoskeletal origin is very common in young patients affected by Mucopolysaccharidoses. This scoping review evaluates the evidence for assessment, pharmacological treatment and rehabilitation management for musculoskeletal pain of the latter. Methods: A Medline search through PubMed has been performed for studies published in English at least for the past twenty years. Two investigators independently reviewed all search results and extracted those that met the inclusion criteria. Results: 29 studies have been selected and analysed in depth, of which 10 related to pain assessment, 11 concerned pharmacological approach, and 8 reported rehabilitation approaches. Conclusion: Few data are available in literature concerning the classification and management of pain in children with Mucopolysaccharidoses. Notwithstanding, pain evaluation methods are effectively used to classify pain intensity, according to the age group and communication abilities of young Mucopolysaccharidoses patients. The review emphasizes that drug therapies have a palliative purpose, while rehabilitation reduces musculoskeletal pain and can provide a therapeutic effect on disabilities.

Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairing and enhancing the structure and function of damaged myocardium. This review offers a comprehensive overview of current advancements and strategies in cardiac regeneration, with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering-based approaches. Stem cell-based therapies, which involve the utilization of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells hold immense potential for replenishing lost cardiomyocytes and facilitating cardiac tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering also plays a prominent role employing synthetic or natural biomaterials, engineering cardiac patches and grafts with suitable properties, and fabricating upscale bioreactors to create functional constructs for cardiac recovery. These constructs can be transplanted into the heart to provide mechanical support and facilitate tissue healing. Additionally, the production of organoids and chips that accurately replicate the structure and function of the whole organ is an area of extensive research. Despite significant progress, several challenges persist in the field of cardiac regeneration. These include enhancing cell survival and engraftment, achieving proper vascularization, and ensuring the long-term functionality of engineered constructs. Overcoming these obstacles and offering effective therapies to restore cardiac function could improve the quality of life for individuals with heart diseases.