Development and analytical validation of a finite element model of fluid transport through osteochondral tissue

Fluid transport is critical to joint health. In this study we evaluate an unexplored component of joint fluid transport -fluid transport between cartilage and bone. Such transport across the cartilage-bone interface could potentially provide chondrocytes with an additional source of nutrients and signaling molecules. A biphasic viscoelastic model using an ellipsoidal fiber distribution was created with three distinct layers of cartilage (superficial zone, middle zone, and deep zone) along with a layer of subchondral bone. For stress-relaxation in unconfined compression, our results for compressive stress, radial stress, and effective fluid pressure were compared with established biphasic analytical solutions. Our model also shows the development of fluid pressure gradients at the cartilage-bone interface during loading. Fluid pressure gradients that develop at the cartilage-bone interface show consistently higher pressures in cartilage following the initial loading to 10% stain, followed by convergence of the pressures in cartilage and bone during the 400 s relaxation period. These results provide additional evidence that fluid is transported between cartilage and bone during loading and improves upon estimates of the magnitude of this effect through incorporating a realistic distribution and estimate of the collagen ultrastructure. Understanding fluid transport between cartilage and bone may be key to new insights about the mechanical and biological environment of both tissues in health and disease.