Transformation of preclinical study results into clinical applications: Improving protocols and clinical practice in translational orthopaedics

Clinical and basic science both rely on constant change and transformation in order to better understand diseases and provide the best care to patients. However, patients and the presentation of their diseases are highly individual. While personalised care remains out of reach, we can strive to make current treatment options more adaptable and better suited to different patients. This issue provides various studies that contribute to this idea both through basic research that contributes to clinical science as well as clinical studies or trials themselves. Surgical practices and treatments for common orthopaedic disorders are continuing to evolve in order to reduce healing time, improve postsurgical outcomes, and also provide better surgical options for patients in different situations. In this issue, Chen et al. used finite element analysis to assess three surgical methods to treat cervical spondylotic radiculopathy in order to predict various functional outcomes for patients [1]. Similarly, Han et al. assessed two surgical techniques used to treat kyphoscoliosis, assessing the functional outcomes, as well as the benefits of each technique [2]. Post-surgical complications may arise when proper rehabilitation protocols are not well designed and conducted in time. Ling et al. have investigated the outcomes of earlier weight-bearing rehabilitation protocol after hallux valgus surgery in order to achieve better prognosis and facilitate earlier return to work [3]. It is not only surgical techniques that are improving, but also drugs, rehabilitation, and novelmaterials that supplement or delay surgery. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was commonly treated with corticosteroids, which in turn led to the development of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Huang et al. have conducted a study to testwhether a Chinese herbal medicine can be used to treat these patients and improve their wellbeing, having been monitored over fourteen years (on average) [4]. Sebastian et al. have conducted a systematic review that investigates the efficacy of antibiotic-loadedbonecement inpreventingprosthetic joint infection[5]. Lo et al. provide another review to this issue that discusses the therapeutic options available to treat sarcopenia in various type of patients [6]. Animal models have transformed medicine and they are fast becoming more complex, accurate, and informative. Martineau et al. investigated the administration of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in a mouse model in order to assess its safety and efficacy in aiding fracture repair healing [7]. Cao et al. demonstrate in a mouse model that three-dimensional printed scaffolds for tendon-to-bone interface engineering is safe and may be used to further assess the efficacy of the scaffold [8]. Two studies in this issue present the use of umbilical cord-derived stem cells to assess their regenerative capabilities in rat models. Liu et al. demonstrate their efficacy in fracture healing [9], while Tong et al. demonstrate the efficacy in osteoarthritis treatment [10]. Animal models are also frequently used to study disease pathogenesis. Li et al. demonstrate that hepcidin deficiency leads to bone loss and identifies the pathways involved [11] and Wu et al.