The role of computational models in the search for the mechanical behavior and damage mechanisms of articular cartilage.
Articular cartilage plays a vital role in the function of diarthrodial joints. Due to osteoarthritis degeneration of articular cartilage occurs. The initial event that triggers the pathological process of cartilage degeneration is still unknown. Cartilage damage due to osteoarthritis is believed to be mechanically induced. Hence, to investigate the initiation of osteoarthritis the stresses and strains in the cartilage must be determined. So far the most common method to accomplish that is finite element analysis. This paper provides an overview of computational descriptions developed for this purpose, and what they can be used for. Articular cartilage composition and structure are discussed in relation with degenerative changes, and how these affect mechanical properties.
Wilson
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Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands.
van Donkelaar
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van Rietbergen
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Huiskes
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D000818:Animals; D016880:Anisotropy; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods; D002356:Cartilage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D019245:Compressive Strength; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D004563:Electrochemistry; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009995:Osmosis; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D012984:Software; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength
D011509:Proteoglycans; D003094:Collagen