Compression-rate-dependent nonlinear mechanics of normal and impaired porcine knee joints

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Marcel Leonardo Rodriguez¹  LePing Li¹ 

[1] Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, N.W, T2N 1N4, Calgary, AB, Canada;

关键词: Articular cartilage;    Compression-rate dependence;    Knee joint mechanics;    Mechanical test;    Meniscus;    Poromechanics;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12891-017-1805-9

 received in 2017-03-17, accepted in 2017-11-06,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe knee joint performs mechanical functions with various loading and unloading processes. Past studies have focused on the kinematics and elastic response of the joint with less understanding of the rate-dependent load response associated with viscoelastic and poromechanical behaviors.MethodsForty-five fresh porcine knee joints were used in the present study to determine the loading-rate-dependent force-compression relationship, creep and relaxation of normal, dehydrated and meniscectomized joints.ResultsThe mechanical tests of all normal intact joints showed similar strong compression-rate-dependent behavior: for a given compression-magnitude up to 1.2 mm, the reaction force varied 6 times over compression rates. While the static response was essentially linear, the nonlinear behavior was boosted with the increased compression rate to approach the asymptote or limit at approximately 2 mm/s. On the other hand, the joint stiffness varied approximately 3 times over different joints, when accounting for the maturity and breed of the animals. Both a loss of joint hydration and a total meniscectomy greatly compromised the load support in the joint, resulting in a reduction of load support as much as 60% from the corresponding intact joint. However, the former only weakened the transient load support, but the latter also greatly weakened the equilibrium load support. A total meniscectomy did not diminish the compression-rate-dependence of the joint though.ConclusionsThese findings are consistent with the fluid-pressurization loading mechanism, which may have a significant implication in the joint mechanical function and cartilage mechanobiology.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017