Dear colleagues,

This special issue reviews advances in knowledge about musculoskeletal disorders, their diagnostics, and neurobiological underpinnings. Such disorders affect all population segments, are increasingly frequent in old age, and stretch public healthcare and social services. The issue focuses on orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, and allied medical fields. It aims to integrate conventional and novel approaches in a multidisciplinary, holistic context. The field of musculoskeletal ailments undergoes fast development, with an understanding of the homeostatic role of the foot-brain axis in regulating body balance, movements, and posture, but also in seemingly unrelated systemic diseases. A better understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal disorders is essential for evidence-based therapy, rehabilitation, data-driven patient management, and prophylactic measures to improve health and quality of life. Contributions are welcome on a broad range of issues, including the application of bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, finite element modeling, and the intersection of medicine and economics, aside from purely clinical aspects. The combination of basic and clinical research promotes the translational aspects of the leading concepts involving the homeostatic regulation in neuromuscular and skeletal disorders.

Homeostasis;

Orthopedics;

Rehabilitation;

In-silico modeling;

Pedobarography;

Health care;

Public health