Shock absorbing ability of articular cartilage and subchondral bone under impact compression

Abstract

Abstract Despite the important role of subchondral bone in maintaining the integrity of the overlying articular cartilage, little research has focused on measuring its mechanical behavior, particularly under injurious load conditions such as impact compression. In this study, the stiffness and the absorbed energy of subchondral bone were compared to that of its overlying cartilage by applying impact compression to equine cartilage–bone specimens. Deformations of the cartilage and subchondral bone were examined independently within the cartilage–bone unit by analyzing real-time images of cartilage–bone explants. Peak subchondral bone and cartilage stiffness (mean±SD) were 800.7±250.0 MPa and ..