Benjamin L. Wong*, Won C. Bae*, Kenneth R. Gratz*, Robert L. Sah∗,†
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.5, No.3, pp. 197-206, 2008, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2008.005.197
Abstract During joint articulation, the biomechanical behavior of cartilage not only facilitates load-bearing and low-friction, but also provides regulatory cues to chondrocytes. Elucidation of cartilage kinematics under combined compression and shearing conditions clarifies these cues in health and disease. The objectives of this study were to elucidate the effects of lubricant, tissue degeneration, and stress relaxation duration on cartilage shear kinematics during articulation. Human osteochondral cores with normal and mildly degenerate surface structures were isolated. Paired blocks from each core were apposed, compressed, allowed to stress relax for 5 or 60 min, and shear tested with… More >