Proteoglycans exert a significant effect on human meniscal stiffness through ionic effects.

Background: Proteoglycans contribute to mechanical stiffness in articular cartilage, aiding load transmission. The magnitude of the ionic contribution of proteoglycans to the stiffness of human meniscal tissue has not been established.

Methods: Thirty-six discs of human meniscal tissue were placed within a custom confined compression chamber and bathed in three solutions of increasing ionic concentration.