Developing Insights In Cartilage Repair

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.

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.

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.

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.

This authoritative book provides state-of-the-art practices and new developments in the imaging of cartilage, associated pathologies, and repair procedures. With a main focus on MRI, major advances in cartilage imaging are put into clinical context relevant for radiologists, rheumatologists, and orthopedic surgeons. International experts provide their insights on cartilage pathologies associated with such conditions as osteoarthritis, osteochondral trauma, and cartilage repair. Morphological MRI techniques are outlined, including new sequences and high field imaging. Molecular imaging techniques able to characterize the biochemical composition of the cartilage matrix are discussed, such as T2 relaxation time, T1rho, and dGEMRIC methods. The first book of its kind, Cartilage Imaging: Significance, Techniques, and New Developments encompasses the full scope of knowledge in this rapidly evolving field. Identifying key techniques for characterizing disease processes as well as objectively and quantitatively evaluating the results of therapy, this outstanding resource is of benefit to all physicians interested in assessing cartilage disease and repair.

In systemic childhood diseases, including cancer, gastrointestinal, pulmonary and cardiac disorders, childhood growth is severely impaired. In addition, almost 400 known genetic diseases inhibit the ability of the growth plate to form new bone, leaving affected children with growth failure and bony deformities which can severely impact their quality of life and may lead to morbidity and early mortality.This book provides a comprehensive review of bone and cartilage development, growth and disease. Focusing on novel treatment strategies, regulatory signals and molecular mechanisms are discussed in relation to the diseases affecting them. Furthermore, novel methodologies in bone and cartilage research based on recent advances in skeletal stem cell biology, cartilage tissue engineering and allele-specific gene silencing is covered.Providing insight into the basic mechanisms of bone growth, structure and metabolism, research methodology, as well as discussing the clinical management of related diseases, this book is of particular value to physicians with a special interest in bone and cartilage biology; in particular endocrinologists and pediatric endocrinologists that see patients with growth disorders, osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, and skeletal dysplasias.

This book presents regenerative strategies for the treatment of knee joint disabilities. The book is composed of four main sections totaling 19 chapters which review the current knowledge on the clinical management and preclinical regenerative strategies. It examines the role of different natural-based biomaterials as scaffolds and implants for addressing different tissue lesions in the knee joint. Section one provides an updated and comprehensive discussion on articular cartilage tissue regeneration. Section two focuses on the important contributions for bone and osteochondral tissue engineering. Section three overview the recent advances on meniscus repair/regeneration strategies. Finally, section four further discusses the current strategies for treatment of ligament lesions. Each chapter is prepared by world know expert on their fields, so we do firmly believe that the proposed book will be a reference in the area of biomaterials for regenerative medicine.