Musculoskeletal Disorders and Osteoarthritis

The transmission and processing of pain signals relies critically on the activities of ion channels that are expressed in afferent pain fibers. This includes voltage-gated channels, as well as background (or leak) channels that collectively regulate resting membrane potential and action potential firing properties. Dysregulated ion channel expression in response to nerve injury and inflammation results in enhanced neuronal excitability that underlies chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Pharmacological modulators of ion channels, particularly those that target channels on peripheral neurons, are being pursued as possible analgesics. Over the past few years, a number of different types of ion channels have been implicated in afferent pain signaling. Here we give an overview of recent advances on sodium, calcium, potassium and chloride channels that are emerging as especially attractive targets for the treatment of pain.

Intervertebral disc herniation is a common cause of neurologic dysfunction in dogs. This article reviews the anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnostic imaging, treatment options, and prognosis for canine cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease. The extensive literature pertinent to intervertebral disc disease is reviewed with the goal of summarizing the information available to help clinicians in their decision making. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.