Covering both pediatric and adult populations, this comprehensive text covers the diverse topics related to the health, disease and therapy of articular cartilage of the knee, from basic principles to future directions for research. This vast array of information is arranged into eight sections, encompassing a number of relevant disciplines and covering, in turn, normal articular cartilage, aging and degeneration, evaluation and assessment, non-surgical approaches, surgical approaches, qualitative and quantitative assessment of repair, research into cartilage repair and engineering, and future prospects for therapy. Each chapter is amply referenced and self-contained for independent study and reference. Scoring systems for knee cartilage assessment are included in four appendices as well, rounding out the presentation. A multidisciplinary collection of basic, translational and clinical material, Articular Cartilage of the Knee is a singular resource for orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, pathologists and the broad spectrum of professionals working with articular cartilage.

Well-known for their inability to heal, articular cartilage injuries often degenerate inexorably to disastrous impairment. Multitudes of treatments have been devised for this problem, but no satisfactory long-term solutions have been established. Written by world-class experts, Articular Cartilage covers the latest research and advancements related to biology, development, pathology, clinical applications, and tissue engineering. This book is useful for rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, cartilage biologists, and cartilage engineers as well as for professionals working in the orthopaedic and other musculoskeletal industries. This book also belongs in the library of primary care physicians, gerontologists, physical therapists, kinesiologists, and chiropractors. Written at a level that allows accessibility to a wide audience, it provides an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses the breadth and depth of basic science, bioengineering, translational science, and detailed methodologic approaches. The authors examine the major events and signaling molecules that lead to development of articular cartilage from precursor cells, and the changes in cartilage as it matures and ages. They focus on the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, and therapeutic approaches for cartilage injury and the major arthritides that affect cartilage and the synovial joints such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. They supply an up-to-date overview of the field of tissue engineering as applied to articular cartilage repair. They examine a number of methods used to assess structure, composition, biology, and biomechanical function. Each chapter contains extensive references to enhance additional study. The book’s comprehensive focus on multiple aspects of articular cartilage sets it apart from other tissue engineering or developmental biology-based books available. It includes important discussions and perspectives on many of the remaining challenges and opportunities in the development and translation of new approaches for treating diseases of articular cartilage. It also provides detailed working protocols for many of the methods used to study articular cartilage, coverage of current treatment options, and business and regulatory aspects of the development of cartilage products. It provides a deeper understanding that will help with the development of new products and clinical applications.

This book explains the anatomy and physiology of cartilage tissue in an integrated way. The emphasis is on how cartilage tissue functions and maintains homeostasis in a challenging mechanical environment. Supported by hundreds of references, the book posts new hypotheses explaining how cartilage adapts and achieves homeostasis in vivo, and tests them against available data. This exploratory approach creates a sense of discovery that the reader can join, or perhaps test themselves through their own research. The main benefit will be obtained by research students and professors looking to understand the deeper concepts that will further their own research, or clinicians (including health professionals and surgeons) who want to gain a deeper physiological understanding of cartilage tissue, which can then serve as a basis for more rational clinical decision-making they need to make on a daily basis. To help bridge the gap between basic science and clinically relevant joint disease, applications and interpretations of key physiological concepts are discussed in the context of osteoarthritis at the end of most chapters.

This book reviews current knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment (surgical and non-surgical) of cartilage defects at the knee joint. In the discussion of diagnosis, the focus is primarily on imaging findings, particularly those obtained with MRI. The remainder of the book is devoted to the full range of current conservative and surgical treatments, with attention to both treatment indications and results as reported in the recent literature. In reviewing non-surgical treatment, oral and intra-articular medical management is evaluated and rehabilitation and physical therapy are also considered. The three main types of surgical technique – microfracture surgery and similar procedures, mosaicplasty and related techniques, and autologous chondrocyte transplantation – are then extensively discussed in a series of highly informative chapters. This book will be of great practical value for clinicians, assisting in daily decision making.

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.

Cartilage injuries of the knee are common, and diagnosis and treatment options have continued to evolve. This book focuses on current non-operative and surgical treatment strategies for articular cartilage injuries, highlighting the controversies and different approaches from an international perspective. This book includes information on the basic science of cartilage structure and function, expert perspectives on imaging and diagnosing, as well as work-up of athletes and patients presenting with acute or chronic cartilage injury. It also provides an evidence base for current cutting-edge cartilage repair and restoration. Written by leading experts in the field, the book, published in collaboration with ISAKOS and ICRS, is vital reading for orthopaedic and sports medicine surgeons, fellows and residents. It is also of interest to sports trainers, physiotherapists, medical students, postgraduate students, and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists.

Articular Cartilage Injury of the Knee is a comprehensive reference that combines the basic scientific knowledge of articular cartilage as it relates to patient health and disease with patient-focused diagnosis and treatment options. This book emphasizes the importance of bridging the divide between basic science and clinical applications in order to select the best possible treatment when injuries occur. Key Features: Provides clinically-relevant information on each topic that can easily be applied in practice Showcases the latest techniques in transplantation and scaffolds for cartilage repair Includes a focused chapter on assessment outcomes after cartilage repair of the knee Written and edited by leading orthopedic surgeons and basic science experts who represent the most current philosophy of effective management of articular cartilage injury of the knee Orthopedic surgeons specializing in the lower extremity will find this book to be an excellent resource that they can consult to guide them in the treatment of patients with articular cartilage injury of the knee.