Musculoskeletal Disorders are conditions arising from disease, injuries, or aging that effect the function of joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons. 100s of million individuals suffer from these conditions, with resulting loss of mobility and pain, and few quantitative diagnostic technologies and therapies exist. With Dr. Brian Snyder, we are developing novel quantitative contrast enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques for diagnosing and staging osteoarthritis (OA) in animal models as well as equine and human patients. Building on these tools, we are advancing an innovative therapy for OA whereby a polymer or nanoparticle lubricates the cartilage tissue surface, reduces wear, and prolongs functional lifetime of cartilage. Finally in collaboration with Drs. Nazarian and Rodriguez, we are evaluating the protein relaxin-2 as a new therapeutic to treat “frozen shoulder” or shoulder arthrofibrosis, the painful and gradual loss of shoulder motion caused by trauma, surgical procedures, inflammation, or joint immobilization.