Mechanical properties of articular cartilage covered by the meniscus

To investigate the mechanical properties and morphological characteristics of articular cartilage on the tibial plateau of human knees, including the region covered by the meniscus.

Using a 1-mm diameter flat-ended cylindrical probe to apply a constant load (0.6 MPa) at specific sites on the tibial plateau, the mechanical properties of articular cartilage were studied using seven cadaver knees. Comparison was made between data obtained by the cartilage covered by the meniscus and that not covered. This was done for both the medial and lateral plateaus. Histological sections of the articular cartilage were also performed to study differences between cartilage from these regions of the tibial plateau.

Compared to cartilage that was not covered by the meniscus, the articular cartilage beneath the meniscus showed a significantly (P<0.05) larger modulus by as much as 70%, and was less thick by about 40%. Also, the subchondral bone quantity and calcified layer thickness were observed to be significantly lesser in the regions covered by the meniscus.

Our findings revealed a significant difference between the mechanical properties and associated structures of articular cartilage in the region covered by the meniscus compared with the articular cartilage not covered by the meniscus.