Stress, Strain, Pressure and Flow Fields in Articular Cartilage and Chondrocytes

摘要: Articular cartilage serves as the load-bearing material of joints, with excellent friction, lubrication and wear characteristics (Mow et al. 1992a). Under normal physiological conditions, these essential biomechanical functions are provided little or no degenerative changes over lifetime a human joint. However, factors such excessively high impact loads, repetitively applied joint immobilization instability, abnormal range motion can alter composition, structure properties articular (e.g., Armstrong 1985; Caterson Lowther 1978; Donohue 1983; Helminen 1987; Palmoski 1979–1981; Vener 1992). These in biochemical composition due, part, to alterations metabolic activities chondrocytes attempting remodel an effort adapt their new environment Howell 1992; Stockwell 1979).