A coupled contact model of cartilage lubrication in the mixed-mode regime under static compression

Abstract

This study presents a coupled cartilage contact model, in which the contact gap and cartilage tissue are modelled as two poroelastic systems, linked by pressure and normal flux continuity boundary conditions. Using a tibial plug under indentation as a proof-of-concept model, the predictions support the weeping lubrication theory under static compression. Specifically, the interstitial fluid would exude from the underlying cartilage into the contact gap to extend the mixed-mode duration by > 20-fold compared to a no fluid exudation counterpart. Moreover, the traditional contact model, that does not consider the contact gap and cartilage fluid exchange, potentially overestimates the interstiti..