Nutrition and movement to improve quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: the NUMOQUA study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) has long been considered as a degenerative disease of cartilage tissue resulting from bodily wear and tear. However, there is accumulating evidence that inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of OA. In knee OA, the most common form of OA, exercise therapy as an effective component of early treatment addresses functional deficits, pain and inflammation.

Artificial-Intelligence-Aided Radiographic Diagnostic of Knee Osteoarthritis Leads to a Higher Association of Clinical Findings with Diagnostic Ratings.

Background: Radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity and clinical severity are often dissociated. Artificial intelligence (AI) aid was shown to increase inter-rater reliability in radiographic OA diagnosis. Thus, AI-aided radiographic diagnoses were compared against AI-unaided diagnoses with regard to their correlations with clinical severity.

Rehabilitation before regenerative cartilage knee surgery: a new prehabilitation guideline based on the best available evidence.

Introduction: Focal cartilage defects are an increasingly relevant clinical problem especially in athletes. Cartilage regenerative surgery (CRS) including microfracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) to treat such isolated cartilage defects in the knee joint has been well established in the last two decades. In contradiction to high-level evidence concerning the surgical technique, cell-related issues, and clinical results, the knowledge about the optimal rehabilitation process is still sparse although the importance of optimizing the rehabilitation process has recently led to new research focus in this field.

Within-assessor reliability and minimal detectable change of gait kinematics in a young obese demographic.

Introduction: Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) in obese populations is a difficult task due to a great amount of subcutaneous fat. This makes it more challenging to identify anatomical landmarks, thus leading to inconsistent marker placement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability for kinematic measurements of obese children and adolescents.

The effects of a strength and neuromuscular exercise programme for the lower extremity on knee load, pain and function in obese children and adolescents: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Childhood obesity is one of the most critical and accelerating health challenges throughout the world. It is a major risk factor for developing varus/valgus misalignments of the knee joint. The combination of misalignment at the knee and excess body mass may result in increased joint stresses and damage to articular cartilage.

Effect of accelerated weightbearing after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation on the femoral condyle: a prospective, randomized controlled study presenting MRI-based and clinical outcomes after 5 years.

Background: Long-term effects of different weightbearing (WB) modalities after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) on changes in knee articular cartilage and clinical outcomes are needed to establish more evidence-based recommendations for postoperative rehabilitation.

Hypothesis: There will be no differences between accelerated WB compared with delayed WB regarding knee articular cartilage or patient self-reported knee function or activity level 5 years after MACI. Furthermore, significant correlations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures 5 years postoperatively will exist.

Clinical and radiological long-term outcomes after matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte transplantation: a prospective follow-up at a minimum of 10 years.

Background: It is unclear whether matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) results in objective and subjective clinical improvements at 10 years after surgery.

Hypothesis: Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation will result in clinical and radiological improvements in patients with symptomatic, traumatic chondral defects of the knee joint.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Results 2 Years After Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation Using the Novocart 3D Scaffold: An Analysis of Clinical and Radiological Data.

Background: A range of scaffolds is available from various manufacturers for cartilage repair through matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT), with good medium- to long-term results.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes 2 years after MACT on the knee joint using the Novocart 3D scaffold based on a bilayered collagen type I sponge.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

The feasibility of a 3-month active rehabilitation program for patients with knee full-thickness articular cartilage lesions: the Oslo Cartilage Active Rehabilitation and Education Study.

Study Design: Case series.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of an active rehabilitation program for patients with knee full-thickness articular cartilage lesions.

Background: No studies have yet evaluated the effect of active rehabilitation in patients with knee full-thickness articular cartilage lesions or compared the effects of active rehabilitation to those of surgical interventions.

Ability to return to sports 5 years after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation in an average population of active patients.

Background: Cartilage injuries often occur during sports activities, and return to sports after cartilage surgery is an important outcome parameter for different treatment methods in the competitive as well as the recreationally active population.

Hypothesis: At the time of midterm follow-up after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT), return to recreational sports at the preinjury level will be possible.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Clinical and radiological outcomes 5 years after matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation in patients with symptomatic, traumatic chondral defects.

Background: To date, few studies have been published reporting the 5-year follow-up of clinical and radiological outcomes for chondral defects treated with matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI).

Hypothesis: A significant improvement in clinical and radiological outcomes after treatment of symptomatic, traumatic chondral defects of the knee with the MACI implant will be maintained up to 5 years after surgery.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Muscle strength and hop performance criteria prior to return to sports after ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present recommendations for new muscle strength and hop performance criteria prior to a return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: A search was made of relevant literature relating to muscle function, self-reported questionnaires on symptoms, function and knee-related quality of life, as well as the rate of re-injury, the rate of return to sports and the development of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction. The literature was reviewed and discussed by the European Board of Sports Rehabilitation in order to reach consensus on criteria for muscle strength and hop performance prior to a return to sports.

Effect of accelerated weightbearing after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation on the femoral condyle on radiographic and clinical outcome after 2 years: a prospective, randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: There is no consensus about the optimal time for weightbearing activities after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) of the femoral condyle.

Hypothesis: A comprehensive protocol after MACI on the femoral condyle with accelerated weightbearing leads to a better functional and radiographic outcome compared with the same comprehensive protocol with delayed weightbearing.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation postoperative care and rehabilitation: science and practice.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is an advanced, cell-based orthobiological technology used for the treatment of chondral defects of the knee. It has been in clinical use since 1987 and has been performed on 12 000 patients internationally; but despite having been in clinical use for more than 15 years, the evidence base for rehabilitation after autologous chondrocyte implantation is notably deficient. The authors review current clinical practice and present an overview of the principles behind autologous chondrocyte implantation rehabilitation practices.