Musculoskeletal diseases are rapidly becoming a major health concern. The incidence of osteoarthritis, the most common arthritic disorder, is increasing steadily due to the graying of the world population. This disease is responsible of human life, a time in for significant morbidity, particularly in the second half which the quality of life is of primary importance. The aim of this publication is to bring to physicians and scientists a comprehensive overview of the field, from molecules to men. The direct costs related to osteoarthritis have been increasing steadily over the years and will soon be comparable to those of other major illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases. This, of course, does not take into account all of the other costs related to the disease which often cannot be simply calculated in dollars and cents. There has been a great deal of renewed interest in osteoarthritis in the last few decades. This has been brought on by the need to improve our knowledge of all aspects of the disease, especially with regard to its etiopathogenesis and treatment. The most recent findings and developments on the structural, bio chemical, biomechanical and molecular changes observed in clinical and ex perimental osteoarthritis are presented in this book.

1 Structure and Function of Normal Human Adult Articular Cartilage

2 Epidemiology and Economic Consequences of Osteoarthritis
2.1 The American Viewpoint
2.2 The European Viewpoint
3 Experimental Models of Osteoarthritis
3.1 In Vitro Models for the Study of Cartilage Damage and Repair
3.2 Animal Models of Osteoarthritis
4 Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis
4.1 Role of Mechanical Factors in the Aetiology, Pathogenesis and Progression of Osteoarthritis
4.2 Role of Biomechanical Factors
4.3 Genetic and Metabolic Aspects
4.4 Biochemical Factors in Joint Articular Tissue Degradation in Osteoarthritis
4.5 Role of Growth Factors and Cartilage Repair
4.6 Role of Crystal Deposition in the Osteoarthritic Joint
5 Diagnosis and Monitoring of Osteoarthritis
5.1 Direct Visualization of the Cartilage
5.2 Radiographic Imaging of Osteoarthritis
5.3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Osteoarthritis
5.4 The Role of Molecular Markers to Monitor Breakdown and Repair
6 Evolution and Prognosis of Osteoarthritis
7 Impact of Osteoarthritis on Quality of Life
8 Medical Management of Osteoarthritis
8.1 Medical Aspects
8.1.1 Basic Principles in Osteoarthritis Treatment
8.1.2 Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Administration in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
8.1.3 New and Future Therapies for Osteoarthritis
8.2 Regulatory Requirements
8.2.1 Preclinical Studies in Osteoarthritis
8.2.2 Clinical Evaluation of Drug Therapy
9 Surgical Treatment of the Cartilage Injuries
10 Scientific Basis of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in the Management of Patients with Osteoarthritis
11 Conclusion and Perspectives.