Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Biotribological Testing and Analysis of Articular Cartilage Sliding against Metal for Implants
Published on: May 14, 2020
Biomechanical properties of knee articular cartilage
M S Laasanen1, J Töyräs, R K Korhonen
1Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract:
Structure and properties of knee articular cartilage are adapted to stresses exposed on it during physiological activities. In this study, we describe site- and depth-dependence of the biomechanical properties of bovine knee articular cartilage. We also investigate the effects of tissue structure and composition on the biomechanical parameters as well as characterize experimentally and numerically the compression-tension nonlinearity of the cartilage matrix. In vitro mechano-optical measurements of articular cartilage in unconfined compression geometry are conducted to obtain material parameters, such as thickness, Young's and aggregate modulus or Poisson's ratio of the tissue. The experimental results revealed significant site- and depth-dependent variations in recorded parameters. After enzymatic modification of matrix collagen or proteoglycans our results show that collagen primarily controls the dynamic tissue response while proteoglycans affect more the static properties. Experimental measurements in compression and tension suggest a nonlinear compression-tension behavior of articular cartilage in the direction perpendicular to articular surface. Fibril reinforced poroelastic finite element model was used to capture the experimentally found compression-tension nonlinearity of articular cartilage.
Related Concept Videos
Knee Joint
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...
Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
Structural Classification of Joints
A fibrous joint is where the adjacent bones are united by fibrous connective...
Joints
Structural joint classifications are based on the material that makes up the joint as well as whether or not the joint contains a space between the bones. Joints are structurally classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.
Fibrous Joints Are Immovable
The bones of a...

