Changes in in vitro compressive contact stress in the rat tibiofemoral joint with varus loading.

ABSTRACT: Increased compression of the tibiofemoral joint, due to increased body mass or malalignment, is a risk factor for the onset and progression of osteoarthritis. This work investigates compressive stresses and contact areas in the articular cartilage of the rat tibiofemoral joint during standing with different applied varus loads. Cadaver rat knees underwent loading of the extensors combined with varus loading (0%, 50% or 100% of bodyweight) of the tibiofemoral joint. Articular cartilage contact stress was evaluated using stereophotogrammetric measurements of biplanar radiographs, high-resolution micro-computed tomography and discrete element analysis. Random coefficients regression models were used to analyze the relationship between peak and spatially averaged contact stresses and contact a

SUBMITTER: Gardner-Morse M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3605394 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature