I Definition and Epidemiology -- 1 Definition of "early Osteoarthritis" -- 2 Early signs of OA in x-rays -- 3 MRI measures of early OA - the ACL-OA score -- 4 Relaxometrie as early measure of OA -- 5 Epidemiology of Osteoarthritis and the importance of early onset-Katz (or delegate) -- 6 Economic aspects of early OA -- 7 Frequency, Epidemiology and Cost of ACL injuries -- 8 The human ACL injury model of early OA -- 9 The risk of early OA after joint fracture -- 10 The clinical manifestation of early OA -- II Basic science aspects of the disease process -- 11 Biomechanics of instability and its relationship to OA -- 12 Fluid dynamics and rheology in the arthritic joint -- 13 How does articular cartilage actually break down? -- 14 Early OA after tibial plateau fracture in the rat -- 15 Matrix degradation after injury -- 16 Collagen breakdown in hip and knee joint over time -- 17 Inflammation after ACL injury -- 18 The role of the "Inflammatype" -- 19 Immune response and early OA -- 20 Macrophages in early OA -- 21 Vesicles and MSC's -- III Clinical Treatment of early OA (non-op) -- 22 Early clinical manifestations of early OA -- 23 When is a chondral defect relevant? -- 24 Role of cortisone in the treatment of early OA -- 25 Viscosupplementation in early OA -- 26 The role of PRP in early OA -- 27 What is the current role and promise of stem cell therapy in early OA -- 28 Role of iPS cells for OA? -- 29 Fat derived stem cells -- 30 BMAC -- IV Clinical Treatment of early OA (operative) -- 30 The role of alignment in the treatment of early OA -- 31 Meniscus injury and early OA, when to operate, when to repair, when to resect? -- 32 Role of arthroscopic debridement, microfracture or washouts -- 33 Osteochondral allograft for early OA -- 34 Cell based procedures for early OA -- 35 Chondral defect repair using a coral based implant -- 36 Options for Early Osteoarthritis treatment in the Shoulder.

Early osteoarthritis is novel topic for orthopedic surgeons and its process begins immediately after joint injury. The mechanical restoration of the joint surface or ligamentous stability is not sufficient to restore the homeostatic environment in the joint, and this leads to osteoarthritis, despite mechanical stability and alignment. This book sheds light on the various mechanisms and systems involved in the gradual decline of the injured joint toward manifest osteoarthritis. Published in collaboration with ISAKOS, this volume appeals to all stakeholders in surgical orthopaedics and sports medicine.