The first section covers basic topics, ranging from joints homeostasis and biomechanics, to genetics, bio-orthopedics, tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting. The following sections are each dedicated to a specific joint its functional anatomy, pathologic conditions, diagnostics and treatment.

This book is of interest to orthopedists and sports medicine specialists treating common and complex injuries of the joints.

Alberto Gobbi completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Medical Faculty of Milan University in 1988, and in Sports Medicine in Genoa, in 1992. He was one of the first Europeans to join the International Cartilage Repair Society and he worked for several years with the leading international experts in orthopedic surgery, arthroscopy and regenerative medicine.  He founded OASI Bioresearch Foundation Gobbi Onlus (NPO), which is recognized as an international teaching center by ISAKOS and ICRS, and has dedicated his time to the education of hundreds of fellows over the last 20 years. He is the Immediate Past President of ICRS and Member of Board of Directors of Isakos. He worked as Visiting Professor at UCSD San Diego and was appointed as Honorary Professor at University of Beijing, Singapore and Seoul.

John G. Lane is a Clinical Associate Professor-voluntary at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, at the University of California, San Diego.  Dr. Lane completed his residency at the University of Michigan and fellowship training in sports medicine at UCSD.  He is a member of AAOS, AANA, AOSSM, ISAKOS and ICRS.  Currently he is the chair of the ICRS membership committee and chairman of the ISAKOS education committee. His clinical field of practice focuses on complex knee and shoulder injuries and he is pursuing ongoing research into rotator cuff injury, the effectof diabetes and regeneration of articular cartilage.

Umile Giuseppe Longo is an Associate Professor and Consultant in Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery at the University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome. He is member of the editorial board of high-impact journals in the field of sports medicine and orthopedics, and editor of the Orthopedics and Biomechanics section of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.  He is author of more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and co-author of more than 80 chapters published in international books. He has been the recipient of several prestigious national and international awards. His research interests include shoulder traumatology and replacement.

Dr. Ignacio Dallo is an Orthopaedic Surgeon Recertified as Qualified by the University of Buenos Aires and the Argentine Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. He published peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and book translations. His work areas are Bio-Orthopaedics, Knee Arthroscopy, and Sports injuries. Dr. Ignacio Dallo collaborated with the International Olympic Committee Research Team at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. He is a current member of the Education and Sports Medicine Committees for ISAKOS, NextGen Committee for ICRS, and International Committee for AANA. Associate Editor of the Journal of Cartilage and Joint Preservation. Reviewer of the Journal of ISAKOS.

Introductory aspects. Introduction.- Joint homeostasis.- Function and dysfunction of the joint .- The joint as an organ.-  Impact of Biomechanics in a joint.- Diagnosis of an Osteochondral defect.- Mapping of an osteochondral defect .- Synovial disease.- Osteochondral unit.- Current concepts in subchondral bone pathology.- Inflammatory environment and cartilage disease.- Osteonecrosis and effects of systemic disease .- Arthritis and Rheumatological Pathologies.- Understanding Genetics in cartilage disease.- Bio-orthopaedics in Joint preservation.- Cost of disability.- Tissue engineering: Scaffolds and bio tissues.- 3D Bio-printing.  Shoulder osteochondral unit function. Functional anatomy and Diagnostic .- Pathologies and Treatment . Elbow osteochondral unit function. Functional anatomy and Diagnostic .- Pathologies and Treatment .Wrist osteochondral unit function. Functional anatomy and Diagnostic.- Pathologies and Treatment. Hip osteochondral unit function. Functional anatomy and Diagnostic.- Pathologies and Treatment. Knee osteochondral unit function. Functional anatomy and Diagnostic.- Pathologies and Treatment. Ankle osteochondral unit function. Functional anatomy and Diagnostic.- Pathologies and Treatment.