It is with considerable disappointment that we announce that this will be the final issue of International Musculoskeletal Medicine (IMM). Unfortunately, changes in circumstances have dictated that the publisher will discontinue the journal.
International Musculoskeletal Medicine has been published for 37 years and in that time has established itself as a ‘must-read’ resource for both musculoskeletal medicine clinicians and researchers in this field. There are many individuals – our international authors, Editorial Board members, manuscript reviewers and so on – without whose contributions the journal would not have reached its fourth decade, nor have enjoyed ongoing recognition by three prestigious professional bodies in musculoskeletal medicine; the British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, the International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine, and the Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Over this period, the journal has been a valuable resource for both clinicians and researchers in the field of musculoskeletal medicine, presenting clinically relevant and innovative papers and endeavouring to meet the needs and expectations of our readership and the member organizations for whom the journal has been a source of information.
Critically, at the helm of every successful medical journal, there is typically a dedicated and hardworking Editor-in-Chief and IMM is no exception. For the last twelve years, IMM has indeed been fortunate to have had Dr Richard Ellis at its helm. It would be an unforgivable oversight to not acknowledge his sustained and diligent contribution as Editor-in-Chief, and in particular his leadership of the journal's Editorial Board and patient mentoring of beginning authors.
I would also like to acknowledge the valued support of the journal's co-editorial team including Dr Nefyn Williams, Professor Jacob Patijn and Dr Angela Clough. These passionate and hardworking people have given greatly of their time, experience and expertise to provide direction to the journal and ensure that IMM delivered high quality rigorous papers for our readers.
IMM has been privileged to serve its long-standing subscribers and affiliate organizations and fulfil its role as a journal that reflects and advances clinical practice in the rich and fascinating field of musculoskeletal medicine.