Landing impact loads predispose osteocartilage to degeneration

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease worldwide and is characterized by progressive degeneration in structure and functionality of the articular cartilage. While it is widely suggested that activities involving large landing impact loads may lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis, there is little understanding on whether these loads can inflict cartilage lesions and trigger degeneration. This study sought to investigate whether landing impact loads applied to the osteocartilage will render it towards degeneration. Menisci-covered and exposed osteochondral explants were extracted from tibial cartilage of fresh porcine hind legs and placed in culture for up to 14 days. A single 10-Hz haver..