Musculoskeletal Research and Basic Science

Strong roots in basic science and research enhance clinical practice. This book is a rich source of information for basic scientists and translational researchers who focus on musculoskeletal tissues and for orthopedic and trauma surgeons seeking relevant up-to-date information on molecular biology and the mechanics of musculoskeletal tissue repair and regeneration.

The book opens by discussing biomaterials and biomechanics, with detailed attention to the biologic response to implants and biomaterials and to the surface modification of implants, an important emerging research field. Finite element analysis, mechanical testing standards and gait analysis are covered. All these chapters are strongly connected to clinical applications. After a section on imaging techniques, musculoskeletal tissues and their functions are addressed, the coverage including, for example, stem cells, molecules important for growth and repair, regeneration of cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and peripheral nerves, and the genetic basis of orthopedic diseases. State-of-the-art applications such as platellet rich plasma were included. Imaging is a daily practice of scientists and medical doctors. Recent advancements in ultrasonography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance, bone mineral density measurements using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and scintigraphy was covered following conventional radiography basics. Further extensive sections are devoted to pathology, oncogenesis and tumors, and pharmacology. Structure is always related with function. Surgical anatomy was therefore covered extensively in the last section.  

Feza Korkusuz, MD, is Professor and Head of the Department of Sports Medicine at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. Dr. Korkusuz graduated from Ankara University Medical Faculty in 1986 and then specialized in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at Gazi University Medical Faculty. He spent 20 years as an orthopedic surgeon at the Medical Center, Middle East Technical University, where he was Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sports. Dr. Korkusuz worked at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery between 1989 and 1990 on spine and knee surgery, where he also conducted research on bone infection, bioceramics and cell culture. He was appointed Associate Professor in 1994 and Professor in 2001. In 2000 he received the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Promotion Award in Medical Sciences, and in 2009, the Prof. Dr. Ridvan Ege Research and Publication Award. Dr. Korkusuz has been a member of the Orthopaedic Research Society since 1991. In 2008 he became an active member of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, and since 2006 has been Corresponding Editor and Deputy Editor of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. He is also an editorial board member for Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica and the European Journal of Sports and Exercise.