Mechanical properties of articular cartilage : variation with depth

摘要: The response of human, adult articular cartilage to compressive loading has been investigated in this study. Full thickness specimens patellar were subjected either a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEN) or one the two conventional testing machines. Testing SEM meant that video recordings could be made deformation which occurred during loading, and subsequent analysis these enabled determination variation mechanical properties through cartilage. individual slices repeated reduced by removal successive performed results tests also give an indication as with depth. Results indicate compliance normal is highest superficial zone, decreases minimum mid-zone increases again slightly deep zone. full used determine effect (if any) age, site specimen, storage procedure variations water uronic acid content on tissue. These show highly dependent age tissue, increasing stored at - 20oC show, average, higher value than + 4oC. No systematic specimen was observed there no correlation between compliance.