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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Addressing Practical Issues in Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Micro-Indentation on Human Articular Cartilage Explants
Published on: October 28, 2022
An articular cartilage contact model based on real surface geometry
S-K Sang-Kuy Han1, Salvatore Federico, Marcelo Epstein
1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
Abstract:
Abnormal, excessive stresses acting on articular joint surfaces are speculated to be one of the causes for joint degeneration. However, articular surface stresses have not been studied systematically, since it is technically difficult to measure in vivo contact areas and pressures in dynamic situations. Therefore, we implemented a numerical model of articular surface contact using accurate surface geometries. The model was developed for the cat patellofemoral joint. We demonstrated that small misalignments of the patella relative to the femur change the joint contact mechanics substantially for a given external load. These results suggest that misalignment might be studied as one of the factors causing articular cartilage disorder and joint degeneration.
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