The Experiment Study On The Influence Of Mechanical Factor On Articular Cartilage

Articular cartilage is an important element of a joint. Its mechanical character plays a critical role in normal joint. Osteoarthritis is a common disease and its main pathological feature is progressive degeneration in the articular cartilage. Our study was focusing on the biomechanical properties of normal articular cartilage and histomorphological changes under compression. 1.The experiment study on the compression properties of normal articular cartilage. In this part, 40 cylinder specimens has been made and divided into four groups randomly. Group A and B was used to measure stress and strain of arficular cartilage after one minute compression by using different micro-mechanical setup, group C was used to measure changes of strains under static loading, group D was used to measure changes of stresses under stable strain compression. The results showed that the instantaneous stress-strain curves are nonlinear and that articular cartilage has viscoelastic property under compression. 2.The observation of the histomorphology of articular cartilage under compression. In order to study the structure changes of articular cartilage under compression cylinder specimens have been made and loaded by indentors. 111 4t After fixation they were sectioned longitudinally and stained with hematoxylin and eosin or toluidine blue for viewing chondrocytes. The specimens prepared for scanning electron microscope were used to observe collagen fibers. The results showed that the structure of articular cartilage has been changed under compression and that if the strains are great enough to destroy the articular cartilage some signs such as injuries of chondrocytes and breaking of collagen fibers can be observed.