Coronaviruses: An overview with special emphasis on COVID-19 outbreak with musculoskeletal manifestations

Abstract

An acute respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), began spreading across China in late December 2019. The disease gained global attention as it spread worldwide. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many studies have focused on the impact of the disease on conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disorders, and renal malfunction. However, few studies have focused on musculoskeletal disorders related to COVID-19 infection. In this review, we update the current knowledge on the coronavirus with special reference to its effects during and after the pandemic on musculoskeletal aliments, which may inform clinical practice.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronaviruses; Infection; Musculoskeletal; Orthopaedics; Pandemic.

Figure 1

Spike protein on the virion binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (cell surface protein), transmembrane protease serine-2, an enzyme that helps the virion enter and release virion RNA. Some RNA is translated into proteins by the cell machinery; some of these proteins form replication complexes to make more RNA. The proteins and RNA assemble into a new virion in the Golgi and are finally released. ACE-2: Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2; SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; TMPRSS-2: Transmembrane protease serine-2.

Figure 2

Tentative representation of musculoskeletal anomalies during severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection. COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019; HIF: Hypoxia-inducible factors; NF-κβ: Nuclear factor-kappa beta; PI3K: Phosphoinositide 3-kinase; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor β.