Jeyaraman M, Jeyaraman N, Nallakumarasamy A, Roy M, de Souza Moraes TM, da Fonseca LF. Science of heat mapping: Thermography in musculoskeletal disorders. World J Orthop 2026; 17(1): 109955 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i1.109955]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Madhan Jeyaraman, MD, PhD, Researcher, Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Velappanchavadi, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India. madhanjeyaraman@gmail.com
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Orthopedics
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Minireviews
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jan 18, 2026 (publication date) through Jan 9, 2026
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World Journal of Orthopedics
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2218-5836
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Jeyaraman M, Jeyaraman N, Nallakumarasamy A, Roy M, de Souza Moraes TM, da Fonseca LF. Science of heat mapping: Thermography in musculoskeletal disorders. World J Orthop 2026; 17(1): 109955 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i1.109955]
World J Orthop. Jan 18, 2026; 17(1): 109955 Published online Jan 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i1.109955
Science of heat mapping: Thermography in musculoskeletal disorders
Madhan Jeyaraman, Naveen Jeyaraman, Arulkumar Nallakumarasamy, Mainak Roy, Tomas M de Souza Moraes, Lucas F da Fonseca
Madhan Jeyaraman, Naveen Jeyaraman, Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India
Madhan Jeyaraman, Naveen Jeyaraman, Arulkumar Nallakumarasamy, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Agathisha Institute of Stemcell and Regenerative Medicine, Chennai 600030, Tamil Nadu, India
Madhan Jeyaraman, Tomas M de Souza Moraes, Lucas F da Fonseca, Department of Orthopaedics, Brazilian Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Indaiatuba 13334-170, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Arulkumar Nallakumarasamy, Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Karaikal 609602, Puducherry, India
Mainak Roy, Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani 741245, West Bengal, India
Author contributions: Jeyaraman M contributed to conceptualization, proofreading, and administration; Jeyaraman M and Nallakumarasamy A helped in manuscript revision; Jeyaraman N and Nallakumarasamy A contributed to acquiring clinical data and performing the data analysis; Jeyaraman N and Roy M contributed to manuscript writing; de Souza Moraes TM and da Fonseca LF contributed for image acquisition; All authors have agreed to the final version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Madhan Jeyaraman, MD, PhD, Researcher, Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Velappanchavadi, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India. madhanjeyaraman@gmail.com
Received: May 27, 2025 Revised: July 1, 2025 Accepted: November 3, 2025 Published online: January 18, 2026 Processing time: 227 Days and 23.5 Hours
Abstract
Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most common causes of disability worldwide, with early detection and appropriate intervention critical to minimizing long-term complications. Infrared thermography (IRT) has emerged as a non-invasive, real-time imaging modality that captures superficial temperature changes reflecting underlying physiological processes such as inflammation and vascular alterations. This review explores the fundamental principles of medical thermography, differentiates between passive and active approaches, and outlines key technological advancements including artificial intelligence integration. The clinical utility of IRT is discussed in various contexts – ranging from acute soft tissue injuries and overuse syndromes to chronic pain and rehabilitation monitoring. Comparative insights with conventional imaging techniques such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are also presented. While IRT offers functional imaging capabilities with advantages in portability, safety, and speed, its limitations – such as lack of deep-tissue penetration and protocol standardization – remain significant barriers to broader adoption. Future directions include the integration of IRT with other imaging modalities and digital health platforms to enhance musculoskeletal assessment and injury prevention strategies.
Core Tip: Infrared thermography is a promising, non-invasive imaging tool for musculoskeletal injury assessment, detecting temperature variations linked to inflammation, vascular changes, and muscle fatigue. It enhances early diagnosis, injury prevention, and rehabilitation monitoring, particularly in sports medicine. However, challenges in sensitivity, specificity, and standardization limit its clinical adoption. Advances in artificial intelligence, improved imaging resolution, and integration with other modalities may enhance its reliability, expanding its role in orthopedic and rehabilitation care.
