Articular hyaline cartilage is extensively hydrated, but it is neither innervated nor vascularized, and its low cell density allows only extremely limited self-renewal. Most clinical and research efforts currently focus on the restoration of cartilage damaged in connection with osteoarthritis or trauma. Here, we discuss current clinical approaches for repairing cartilage, as well as research approaches which are currently developing, and those under translation into clinical practice. We also describe potential future directions in this area, including tissue engineering based on scaffolding and/or stem cells as well as a combination of gene and cell therapy. Particular focus is placed on cell-based approaches and the potential of recently characterized chondro-progenitors; progress with induced pluripotent stem cells is also discussed. In this context, we also consider the ability of different types of stem cell to restore hyaline cartilage and the importance of mimicking the environment in vivo during cell expansion and differentiation into mature chondrocytes.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease treated mostly symptomatically before approaching its definitive treatment, joint arthroplasty. The rapidly growing prevalence of OA highlights the urgent need for a more efficient treatment strategy and boosts research into the mechanisms of OA incidence and progression. As a multifactorial disease, many aspects have been investigated as contributors to OA onset and progression. Differences in gender appear to play a role in the natural history of the disease, since female sex is known to increase the susceptibility to its development. The aim of the present review is to investigate the cues associated with gender by analyzing various hormonal, anatomical, molecular, and biomechanical parameters, as well as their differences between sexes. Our findings reveal the possible implications of gender in OA onset and progression and provide evidence for gaps in the current state of art, thus suggesting future research directions.

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Background:Careful preoperative planning in revision cases with complex acetabular defects is crucial for optimal surgery outcome. However, in many cases, computed tomography (CT) scans cannot give a clear understanding of the pelvic destruction. Three-dimensional (3D) models-based on CT data can help surgeon in planning of complex acetabular reconstruction.Materials and Methods:We used 3D plaster pelvic models in 17 revision cases. There were 5 patients with Paprosky II C acetabular defects, 2 patients with Paprosky IIIA defects, and 10 patients with Paprosky IIIB defects (3 patients among them with pelvic discontinuity). We used 3D printer and digital 3D models based on CT scan data for 3D models printing. In 3 cases with Paprosky IIIB defects, we implanted custom-made acetabular components with the porous coating, also printed on the 3D printer.Results:In 14 cases, we used trabecular metal (TM) augments with TM cups. In 100% of cases, number and type of planned and used augments were same. In 9 (64.3%) cases, size of planned and used cups was same. In other cases, the difference was not >2 mm.Conclusions:Use of 3D plaster models for the revision hip arthroplasty planning with complex acetabular defects has shown high accuracy in the clear understanding of acetabular bone deficiency.