Alberto Gobbi, Elizaveta Kon, Massimo Berruto, Giuseppe Filardo, Marco Delcogliano, Lorenzo Boldrini, Lyndon Bathan, Maurilio Marcacci,

Damaged cartilage covering the articular surfaces of the knee joint can be a very difficult condition to treat for orthopaedic surgeons; Recently, second-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been used and has produced satisfactory results in the short-term.

34 of an original 38 patients treated for full-thickness patellofemoral chondral lesions with second-generation ACI, were assessed 5 years post-operation. 8 patients had received a secondary arthroscopy or biopsy. These revealed the repaired surface to be nearly normal with biopsy samples characterized as hyaline-like in appearance.

Hyaluronan-based scaffold seeded with autologous chondrocytes can be a viable treatment for patellofemoral chondral lesions.

All the scores used demonstrated a statistically significant improvement at 2 and 5 years’ follow-up

Am J Sports Med June 2009 vol. 37 no. 6 1083-1092

M P Schwellnus

A review of current literature and research was conducted into the cause of muscle cramping. The two most commonly used hypotheses are the dehydration and subsequent electrolyte depletion theory and the altered neuromuscular control theory.

After reviewing previous research, it became apparent that the dehydration and electrolyte depletion theory was generally not supported, although only small studies have been conducted. Secondly, this theory does not offer plausible pathophysiological mechanisms to explain the presentation and effective treatment of cramp.

Evidence for the altered neuromuscular control theory is centered around evidence from studies in human models of muscle cramping, epidemiological studies in cramping athletes, and animal experimental data.

The author concludes that whilst more research is needed to confirm the altered neuromuscular control theory, current research suggests that this best explains the mechanism and symptoms of muscle cramp.

British Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;43:401-408