Ageing in the musculoskeletal system

Abstract

The extent of ageing in the musculoskeletal system during the life course affects the quality and length of life. Loss of bone, degraded articular cartilage, and degenerate, narrowed intervertebral discs are primary features of an ageing skeleton, and together they contribute to pain and loss of mobility. This review covers the cellular constituents that make up some key components of the musculoskeletal system and summarizes discussion from the 2015 Aarhus Regenerative Orthopaedic Symposium (AROS) (Regeneration in the Ageing Population) about how each particular cell type alters within the ageing skeletal microenvironment.

Microbiological evaluation of LOCATOR® Legacy attachments: A cross‐sectional clinical study

“…This muscle activity helps also in repositioning the food bolus on the oral cavity and/or pushing the food stuffs onto the tongue for a better taste sensation. With age, the forceful chewing and rubbing of the tongue and cheeks diminish substantially, as muscles atrophy and weaken with age and motor coordination becomes more erratic (Campbell, McComas, & Petito, 1973;Newton, Abel, Robertson, & Yemm, 1987;Newton, McManus, & Menhenick, 2004;Newton & Yemm, 1986;Newton, Yemm, Abel, & Menhinick, 1993;Roberts et al, 2016). These age-related changes explain the abundant presence of biofilm in the elderly persons' mouths and dentitions.…”

Simulating the sensitivity of cell nutritive environment to composition changes within the intervertebral disc

“…1) (Ruiz et al 2013). For the NP, the TZ, and the AF, tissue constitutive models described the poromechanical interactions between: a hyperelastic porous matrix, saturated by intra and extra-fibrillar fluid, a swelling pressure stress simulated the Donnan osmotic effects, and viscoelastic collagen fibres (AF only) (Roberts and Urban 2011;Schroeder et al 2007). The total stress tensor, , was given by the sum of a pore pressure component p and the effective stress of the porous solid skeleton, :…”

“…A transition zone (TZ) bridges these two regions, and a thin layer of hyaline cartilage, i.e. the cartilage endplates (CEP), separates the NP and TZ from the bone (Guilak et al 1999;Roberts and Urban 2011). All sub-tissues are structurally and mechanically different but also highly bounded to each other, contributing to the functional mechanics of the IVD.…”

“…The IVD has a very low density of cells in comparison to other tissues; only 1% of the disc volume is occupied by cells (Roberts and Urban 2011). Nevertheless the continuing activity of cells largely controls the fate of the disc.…”

“…Nevertheless the continuing activity of cells largely controls the fate of the disc. On one hand, cells produce the macromolecules that keep the disc tissues functional with the passage of time (Roberts and Urban 2011). On the other hand, they are able to trigger catabolic processes that may accelerate the depletion of ECM components.…”