Cartilage Restoration

This book employs a wealth of high-quality illustrations to provide the reader with a detailed understanding of the anatomy and the histology of the cartilage, the etiology and the classification of the cartilage lesions, and the numerous techniques employed for cartilage repair. Detailed attention is devoted to healthy cartilage, to each stage in the degenerative process, and to the response of the cartilage to the treatment. Imaging of the damaged and the repaired cartilage, as well as the information on the biomechanics are provided in great detail. The chapters on the techniques cover a wide range of approaches: marrow stimulation techniques, osteochondral cylinder transfer techniques, first, second and third generation autologous chondrocyte implantation techniques, allografts, cell-based therapies, orthobiologic approaches, and the role of 3D printing. The chapters closes with a consideration of the success of rehabilitation devices and the long-term results of cartilage repair.The book will be invaluable for all general orthopaedic and arthroscopic surgeons seeking a deeper knowledge of cartilage science and will help to dispel the confusion that still surrounds the reparative treatment. The authors are recognized experts in the fields of cartilage histology, assessment, classification, and repair.

Reviewing exhaustively the current state of the art of tissue engineering strategies for regenerating bones and joints through the use of biomaterials, growth factors and stem cells, along with an investigation of the interactions between biomaterials, bone cells, growth factors and added stem cells and how together skeletal tissues can be optimised, this book serves to highlight the importance of biomaterials composition, surface topography, architectural and mechanical properties in providing support for tissue regeneration. Maximizing reader insights into the importance of the interplay of these attributes with bone cells (osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts) and cartilage cells (chondrocytes), this book also provides a detailed reference as to how key signalling pathways are activated. The contribution of growth factors to drive tissue regeneration and stem cell recruitment is discussed along with a review the potential and challenges of adult or embryonic mesenchymal stem cells to further enhance the formation of new bone and cartilage tissues. This book serves to demonstrate the interconnectedness of biomaterials, bone/cartilage cells, growth factors and stem cells in determining the regenerative process and thus the clinical outcome.

Now in a revised and expanded second edition, this practical text utilizes the most current evidence and knowledge of articular cartilage as the basis for clinical interventions for cartilage repair and restoration, combining an overview of clinical research and methodologies with clinical cases to help guide the orthopedic treatment and care of patients presenting with cartilage issues. Carefully updated chapters discuss the state-of-the-art in cartilage anatomy, defects and imaging, current tibiofemoral and patellofemoral surgical options, debridement and marrow stimulation, osteochondral autografts and allografts, osteotomies, cell therapy, and meniscal transplantation. New chapters explore new surgical treatment strategies and revision for failed cartilage repair, case vignettes presenting real-life treatment decisions and outcomes, and rehabilitation protocols following cartilage repair. Written and edited by experts in the field and bringing the most recent literature and research to bear, Cartilage Restoration remains a valuable resource on joint preservation for orthopedic surgeons, residents, and fellows, sports medicine specialists and rheumatologists.

In three Volumes this mini book series presents current knowledge and new perspectives on cartilage as a specialized yet versatile tissue. This third volume provides insight into current and future treatment strategies for repair of cartilage lesions. This book addresses Professors, researchers and PhD students who are interested in musculoskeletal and cartilage pathobiology and tissue-engineering.

The focus of this book is to create a comprehensive analysis of cartilage injury and repair strategies. Twenty chapters cover proven and emerging procedures and methodologies. Readers will be able to understand the clinical problem, appropriate diagnosis, and repair strategies relevant to first line and secondary cartilage repair procedures.

This comprehensive book discusses cartilage repair and all its aspects. These aspects vary from basic insights in cartilage biology and regeneration via MRI, to results of existing cartilage repair techniques and upcoming novel approaches. Fundamental cartilage biology is the topic covered within the first chapters of the book. These chapters not only provide an insight in healthy, damaged and regenerative cartilage but also describe developments in gene therapy and methods to enhance chondrogenesis of stemcells and prevent hypertophic differentiation. There is a huge progress in the possibilities of MR imaging of both healthy, damaged and regenerative cartilage. These developments not only enable better monitoring of cartilage repair but may also unravel the pathophysiology of the development of cartilage defects. Different cartilage repair techniques (e.g. allografts, autologous chondrocytes transplantation [ACT], microfracture), there technical aspects (e.g. developments towards an total arthroscopic approach), pitfalls, and outcomes are reported in the following chapters. In these chapters factors important for the results of cartilage repair such as meniscal repair, patient factors are described. Finally, an overview of novel cartilage repair techniques such as minced cartilage, denovo cartilage and more areas are discussed in this comprehensive addition to the literature.

This work is the result of a partnership that began in 2011, when I received for the first time the invitation to be the scientific editor of a book on bone grafting, by the still little publisher known as InTech. Now six years later, InTech has grown and thrived. My respect and warm approval for the quality of the publisher's work only increased. The hyaline cartilage is a tissue that challenges tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because of its avascular nature. In the 11 chapters of this book, the reader will find texts written by researchers working on advanced topics related to basic laboratory research, as well as excellent reviews on the clinical use of currently available therapies.

Cartilage defects affect patients of all age groups. Surgeons, teamdoctors, general practitioners and physiotherapists alike are expected to provide adequate care. Only individual treatment plans combining a well balanced choice of various options will be successful. Background knowledge, operative and non-operative therapies are described in concise chapters: Articular cartilage biology - Diagnostics - Surgical techniques - Symptomatic and alternative medications - Physiotherapy. Diagnostic findings and surgical procedures are generously illustrated by aquarelles and colour photographs. Recommendations for additional reading, description of important clinical scoring systems and a listing of analytic tools are added for further information.