ABSTRACT
The human musculoskeletal system comprises different tissues including muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, intervertebral discs, and cartilage. While other organ systems consist mostly of cellular material, the musculoskeletal system consists mostly of extracellular material and has physical properties that rely heavily on the properties of collagen, the major component of extracellular matrix (ECM). Within the musculoskeletal system, ECM production occurs at the cellular level primarily by chondrocytes, £broblasts, osteocytes, and myocytes. Collagen is a protein that provides local tissue with support and strength with variability of structure in different tissues.1,2 Additionally, collagen synthesis has a strong impact on wound healing throughout the body with musculoskeletal implications for skin wound healing, cartilage intervertebral disc repair, and fracture repair.
