Fibrous cartilage of human menisci is less shock-absorbing and energy-dissipating than hyaline cartilage.

Purpose: To test meniscal mechanical properties such as the dynamic modulus of elasticity E* and the loss angle δ at two loading frequencies ω at different locations of the menisci and compare it to E* and δ of hyaline cartilage in indentation mode with spherical indenters.

Methods: On nine pairs of human menisci, the dynamic E*-modulus and loss angle δ (as a measure of the energy dissipation) were determined. The measurements were performed at two different strain rates (slow sinusoidal and fast single impact) to show the strain rate dependence of the material.

Double-network acrylamide hydrogel compositions adapted to achieve cartilage-like dynamic stiffness.

Since articular cartilage has a limited potential for spontaneous healing, various techniques are employed to repair cartilage lesions. Acrylate-based double-network (DN) hydrogels containing ~90% water have shown promising properties as repair materials for skeletal system soft tissues. Although their mechanical properties approach those of native cartilage, the critical factor-stiffness-of DN-gels does not equal the stiffness of articular cartilage.

Acrylamide Polymer Double-Network Hydrogels: Candidate Cartilage Repair Materials with Cartilage-Like Dynamic Stiffness and Attractive Surgery-Related Attachment Mechanics.

Background: In focal repair of joint cartilage and meniscus, initial stiffness and strength of repairs are generally much less than surrounding tissue. This increases early failure potential. Secure primary fixation of the repair material is also a problem.

A comparison of healthy human and swine articular cartilage dynamic indentation mechanics.

Articular cartilage is a multicomponent, poroviscoelastic tissue with nonlinear mechanical properties vital to its function. A consequent goal of repair or replacement of injured cartilage is to achieve mechanical properties in the repair tissue similar to healthy native cartilage. Since fresh healthy human articular cartilage (HC) is not readily available, we tested whether swine cartilage (SC) could serve as a suitable substitute for mechanical comparisons.