Advanced Modeling for Optimizing Lower Extremity Neuromusculoskeletal Disorder Treatment

Lower extremity neuromusculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and neuropathies, stand as major contributors to global disability, adversely affecting physical activity, exercise capabilities, and overall quality of life. Traditional diagnostics and therapeutic modalities often lack the specificity needed for addressing the unique biomechanical aspects of individual patients. Consequently, they fall short in comprehensively capturing the full extent of dynamic functional deficits that manifest during exercise and in daily activities. For example, osteoarthritis management typically fails to address underlying joint loading mechanics, and rehabilitation for ligament injuries doesn't always consider individual neuromuscular control. Current technologies in computational biomechanics, machine learning, and advanced simulations offer new prospects for enhancing diagnostic precision and therapeutic outcomes. However, there remain challenges in standardizing, clinically validating, and integrating these models into routine care.
The aim of this Research Topic is to push the boundaries of precision in diagnosing, rehabilitating, and treating lower extremity neuromusculoskeletal disorders through advanced modeling techniques. The objective is to transcend the constraints of existing clinical practices by integrating in-depth, biomechanical and anatomical analyses that are specifically tailored to enhance physical activity levels, optimize exercise performance, and elevate overall quality of life. Similarly, bespoke rehabilitation programs could better address neuromuscular deficits and dynamic stability concerns.
Research must fall within the boundaries of leveraging computational frameworks to revolutionize lower extremity disorder care, spanning conditions such as osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and neuropathies. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o Developing frameworks to predict joint load, muscle strength, and ligament stress.
o Increasing diagnostic accuracy through models that simulate disease progression or injury risk.
o Crafting patient-specific rehabilitation using simulations for tailored intervention design.
o Innovating therapeutic options tested through in silico approaches before clinical application.
o Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to merge engineering, clinical practice, and data science into accessible, scalable solutions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Lower extremity neuromusculoskeletal disorders, Osteoarthritis, Computational biomechanics, Modeling frameworks, Rehabilitation strategies, Diagnostic accuracy, Regenerative therapies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.