Webinar on Common Musculoskeletal Disorders

UTAR Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) collaborated with Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences students Lew Tjun Yaw, Zhang Qiao Yi, Michelle Ng Yan Ting, Lim Shen Quan, Tee Shi Rou, Dr Foo Chai Nien and Dr Gan Quan Fu to organise a webinar titled Wear and Tear: The Common Musculoskeletal Disorders as part of a health promotional activity via Zoom. It was delivered by three speakers, namely AIMST University Malaysia Faculty of Allied Health Professions Dean Assoc Prof Dr Yu Chye Wah, AIMST University Adjunct Research and Innovation Consultant-cum-Medical Subdivision of Malaysian Invention and Design Society (medicMINDS) Chairman Assoc Prof Dr Chew Heng Hai, and  Dr Gan.

The participants during the webinar

The webinar began with a presentation on osteoarthritis by Dr Yu. According to Dr Yu, osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis, impacting millions of individuals throughout the world. It takes place when the protective cartilage that cushions the end of the bones deteriorates over time. Cartilage is a tough, flexible connective tissue that allows for practically frictionless joint mobility. He explained that if the cartilage fully goes away, the bones will begin to scrape against one another. Osteoarthritis is frequently referred to as “a wear and tear” condition. Osteoarthritis, however, affects the entire joint, not only the cartilage. It alters the bone and deteriorates the connective tissues that keep the joint together and connect muscle to bone. It also causes joint lining irritation.

Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, the hands, knees, hips, and spine are the ones that are most often affected. He explained that while the symptoms of osteoarthritis can usually be addressed, joint degradation cannot be reversed.

Dr Yu

Dr Yu also explained some of the osteoarthritis symptoms that frequently appear and gradually worsen over time. Some of the symptoms include pain in afflicted joints that may occur during or after an activity; joint stiffness, which is mostly felt upon awakening or after a period of inactivity; tenderness at the joint when mild pressure is applied to or around it; loss of adaptability; swelling produced by soft tissue inflammation surrounding the joint, and bone spurs, where additional fragments of bone that feel like hard lumps occur around the afflicted joint.

He also mentioned that being active, maintaining a healthy weight and receiving certain therapies may aid in the prevention of the illness and improve pain and joint functions.

Dr Yu explaining the kellgren-Lawrence grading system

Additionally, he also explained the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system, which is used to categorise and evaluate osteoarthritis.

Dr Chew delivered the second slot on Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc. He stated that the precise word for what is more popularly recognised as a slipped disc is Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc (PID). These intervertebral discs are positioned between each vertebra of the spine and serve as cushions or shock absorbers besides aiding in the flexibility of the spine. Dr Chew said that the discs are composed of a strong, fibrous connective tissue circular with a central, gel-like core. The spinal cord, which runs from the brain stem to the lower back, is located in the middle of this column of vertebrae and discs; between each vertebra, there are nerve root connections to the rest of the body.

Dr Chew

He also stated that it is not always clear what causes the disc’s strong, fibrous connective tissue to break down. A slipped disc can simply be the product of ageing, since discs lose water content as they age, making them less flexible and more susceptible to rupture.

He also mentioned other factors that can put undue strain on one’s spine and cause a rupture which include bending awkwardly; working a job that requires repetitive bending and lifting; working a job that requires a lot of sitting, such as driving; being overweight; participating in weight-bearing sports like weight lifting, or having been in a traumatic injury, such as a car accident or a fall.

Dr Chew ended his talk with a message saying, “prevention is better than cure” and “conservative first, invasive last”.

 

A message by Dr Chew

Gan

Gan started her talk by explaining that stem cells are the raw material cells of the body from which all other cells with specific tasks are formed. Under the correct conditions, stem cells divide to generate new cells known as daughter cells in the body or in a laboratory. These daughter cells either become new stem cells (self-renewal) or specialised cells, such as blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle cells, and bone cells. No other cell in the body has the potential to naturally produce new cell types. She also mentioned that capable stem cells help the body expand by producing new cells and replacing specialised cells that are injured or destroyed. They are able to do so because of two distinct properties; they can divide indefinitely to generate new cells and they can divide indefinitely to produce new cells. They can convert into different types of cells that make up the body as they divide.

Guan also explained the comparison between embryonic stem and adult stem cells using attributes, limitations and ethical concerns. She also shared her insights on healing process which included a systematic review of stem cells in osteoarthritis.

Guan explaining the comparison between the different sources of stem cells

The webinar concluded with a takeaway message and a Q&A session.

Take home message by Guan