Background and Objectives: Cartilage repair remains a critical challenge in orthopaedic medicine due to the tissue’s limited self-healing ability, contributing to degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA). In response, regenerative medicine has developed advanced therapeutic strategies, including cell-based therapies, gene editing, and bioengineered scaffolds, to promote cartilage regeneration and restore joint function. This narrative review aims to explore the latest developments in cartilage repair techniques, focusing on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, gene-based interventions, and biomaterial innovations. It also discusses the impact of patient-specific factors, such as age, defect size, and cost efficiency, on treatment selection and outcomes. Materials and Methods: This review synthesises findings from recent clinical and preclinical studies published within the last five years, retrieved from the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search targeted key terms such as “cartilage repair”, “stem cell therapy”, “gene editing”, “biomaterials”, and “tissue engineering”. Results: Advances in MSC-based therapies, including autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), have demonstrated promising regenerative potential. Gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9 have facilitated targeted cellular modifications, while novel biomaterials such as hydrogels, biodegradable scaffolds, and 3D-printed constructs have improved mechanical support and tissue integration. Additionally, biophysical stimuli like low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have enhanced chondrogenic differentiation and matrix production. Treatment decisions are influenced by patient age, cartilage defect size, and financial considerations, highlighting the need for personalised and multimodal approaches. Conclusions: Combining regenerative techniques, including cell-based therapies, gene modifications, and advanced scaffolding, offers a promising pathway towards durable cartilage repair and joint preservation. Future research should focus on refining integrated therapeutic protocols, conducting long-term clinical evaluations, and embracing personalised treatment models driven by artificial intelligence and predictive algorithms.

Background: Telemedicine is a key element of modern health care, providing remote medical consultations and bridging the gap between patients and health care providers. Despite legislative advancements and pilot programs, the integration of telemedicine education in Romania remains limited. Addressing these educational gaps is essential for preparing current and future medical professionals to effectively use telemedicine technologies. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the current state of telemedicine education for medical professionals in Romania, focusing on the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into medical curricula, identifying the challenges and opportunities, and providing recommendations for improving telemedicine education. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Peer-reviewed articles from 2019 to 2023 were identified using databases such as PubMed and Scopus. Additional gray literature was reviewed to provide a comprehensive understanding of telemedicine education in Romania. Data were thematically analyzed to extract key findings and recommendations. Results: The review identified significant progress in the legislative and infrastructural aspects of telemedicine in Romania, but highlighted gaps in integrating telemedicine education into curricula for medical professionals and other health care practitioners directly involved in telemedicine practices. While some universities have included telemedicine components, dedicated telemedicine courses and hands-on training remain insufficient. Barriers include a lack of infrastructure, digital literacy, and practical exposure to telemedicine technologies. Conclusions: For telemedicine to be effectively integrated into Romania’s health care system, medical education must be adapted to include comprehensive telemedicine training. Recommendations include enhancing digital literacy, fostering public-private partnerships, and incorporating telemedicine into undergraduate and continuous professional education programs. These efforts are essential for improving healthcare access and quality through telemedicine.

Background and Objectives. Cartilage repair remains a critical challenge in orthopaedic medicine due to the tissue's limited self-healing ability, contributing to degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA). In response, regenerative medicine has developed advanced therapeutic strategies, including cell-based therapies, gene editing, and bioengineered scaffolds, to promote cartilage regeneration and restore joint function. This narrative review aims to explore the latest developments in cartilage repair techniques, focusing on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, gene-based interventions, and biomaterial innovations. It also discusses the impact of patient-specific factors, such as age, defect size, and cost-efficiency, on treatment selection and outcomes. Methods. The review synthesises findings from recent clinical and preclinical studies published within the last five years, retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search targeted key terms such as "cartilage repair," "stem cell therapy," "gene editing," "biomaterials," and "tissue engineering." Key Findings. Advances in MSC-based therapies, including autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), have demonstrated promising regenerative potential. Gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9 have facilitated targeted cellular modifications, while novel biomaterials such as hydrogels, biodegradable scaffolds, and 3D-printed constructs have improved mechanical support and tissue integration. Additionally, biophysical stimuli like low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have enhanced chondrogenic differentiation and matrix production. Treatment decisions are influenced by patient age, cartilage defect size, and financial considerations, highlighting the need for personalised and multimodal approaches. Conclusions. Combining regenerative techniques, including cell-based therapies, gene modifications, and advanced scaffolding, offers a promising pathway toward durable cartilage repair and joint preservation. Future research should focus on refining integrated therapeutic protocols, conducting long-term clinical evaluations, and embracing personalised treatment models driven by artificial intelligence and predictive algorithms.

(1) Background: This is the first study investigating the age-related distribution of meniscal and chondral lesions in an all-male cohort undergoing first-time knee arthroscopy. (2) Methods: The study population included 876 adult men stratified into five decade-based age groups. Lesions were confirmed arthroscopically after MRI evaluation, with chondral injuries being graded using the ICRS system. (3) Results: The frequency of medial meniscal tears differed significantly across age strata (p = 0.042), increasing with age. No differences were detected for lateral meniscal damage or patellar damage. Age was a significant predictor of medial meniscal damage (OR = 1.04; p = 0.003), but not for other types of knee injuries. Medial meniscal damage correlated with patellar damage (men < 30, 50–59) and inversely with lateral damage (30–39); other correlations were non-significant. Chondropathy severity increased significantly with age in the medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau (p < 0.001), with severe (ICRS grade IV) lesions showing a steep rise after 60 years. Cartilage lesions at the level of the lateral knee compartment were, by contrast, less prevalent and less severe, with no significant variation across age groups. (4) Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that intra-articular knee pathology in men shifts with age, with medial compartment degeneration becoming increasingly prominent.

Background and Objectives: Although gender and age are high-profile risk factors for meniscal injuries, their interplay is not yet fully understood. Little information is available about patients undergoing first-time meniscus surgery and the epidemiology of meniscus tears in Eastern Europe. This study investigated sex- and age-related trends in meniscal injuries (medial and/or lateral, with or without co-occurring knee chondropathy) in a substantial cohort of patients undergoing first-time meniscus surgery at a high-volume medical center in western Romania. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 488 patients of different ages. Logistic regression was applied across the age continuum, followed by analyses stratified by age quartiles to investigate age-related variations. Results: Increasing age was significantly associated with increased odds of having medial meniscus tears (O.R. = 1.04 (1.01–1.07)) and associated knee chondropathy (O.R. = 1.03 (1.00–1.05)). Women displayed significant, twofold lower odds of having lateral meniscus damage (O.R. = 0.54 (0.31–0.96)). Men tended to have a higher prevalence of associated knee chondropathy (O.R. = 1.71 (0.96–3.04)). The frequency of medial meniscus tears and patellar damage rose significantly, starting from the third age quartile (33–42 years) and the second quartile (23–32 years), respectively. Significant positive associations between medial and lateral meniscal damage were found across all age quartiles (r_s ≥ 0.42), with their magnitude increasing with age. Medial damage also correlated significantly with patellar damage, but weaker and only from the third quartile onward (r_s ≥ 0.30). Conclusions: Increasing age was linked to a higher risk of medial meniscal injuries and knee chondropathy, with the latter tending to occur earlier. Male sex was associated with a higher likelihood of lateral meniscal damage. These findings highlight the importance of considering age and sex in the diagnosis and management of meniscal injuries and provide valuable data for an Eastern European population.

Background/Objectives: This is the first study to examine age-related patterns of meniscal/chondral lesions in women undergoing first-time knee arthroscopy. Methods: We analyzed meniscal tear type/location and evaluated cartilage damage in femoral condyles and the tibial plateau in a medium-sized Romanian cohort (n = 241). Results: Age was associated significantly (p ≤ 0.004) with medial meniscal damage (O.R. = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.06), medial femoral condyle chondropathy (O.R. = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.10), and medial tibial plateau chondropathy (O.R. = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12). Medial meniscus tear patterns differed significantly between age groups (p < 0.001, Cramér’s V = 0.32). Bucket-handle tears—the most common tear type—peaked in middle age (p < 0.001, Cramér’s V = 0.30). The two menisci showed different distributions of tear patterns in women aged ≥40 years (p ≤ 0.023, Cramér’s V ≤ 0.41). Meniscal tears most commonly involved the posterior third. The distribution of tear sites in menisci (medial vs. lateral) varied significantly in women aged 40–59 years (p = 0.020, Cramér’s V = 0.28). The medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau showed significant intergroup differences in ICRS scores (p ≤ 0.024, Cramér’s V ≤ 0.34). The frequency of ICRS grade 4 cartilage lesions increased markedly in the 40–59 age group at both sites, continuing to rise in older patients for the medial tibial plateau. Conclusions: Knee pathology in women worsens with age, especially in the medial compartment. Early screening (intervention) in middle-aged women may help prevent advanced joint damage.