Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered Perspective
Understanding the complex mechanical behavior of osteochondral tissues in silico is essential for improving experimental models and advancing research in joint health and degeneration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the constitutive models currently used to represent the different...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Bruna Silva Marco Domingos Sandra Amado Juliana R. Dias Paula Pascoal-Faria Ana C. Maurício Nuno Alves |
| author_facet | Bruna Silva Marco Domingos Sandra Amado Juliana R. Dias Paula Pascoal-Faria Ana C. Maurício Nuno Alves |
| author_sort | Bruna Silva |
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| description | Understanding the complex mechanical behavior of osteochondral tissues in silico is essential for improving experimental models and advancing research in joint health and degeneration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the constitutive models currently used to represent the different layers of the osteochondral region, from articular cartilage to subchondral bone, including intermediate regions such as the tidemark and the calcified cartilage layer. Each layer exhibits unique structural and mechanical properties, necessitating a layer-specific modeling approach. Through critical comparison of existing mathematical models, the viscoelastic model is suggested as a pragmatic starting point for modeling articular cartilage zones, the tidemark, and the calcified cartilage layer, as it captures essential time-dependent behaviors such as creep and stress relaxation while ensuring computational efficiency for initial coupling studies. On the other hand, a linear elastic model was identified as an optimal starting point for both the subchondral bone plate and the subchondral trabecular bone, reflecting their dense and stiff nature, and providing a coherent framework for early-stage multilayer integration. This layered modeling approach enables the development of physiologically coherent and computationally efficient representations of osteochondral region modeling. Furthermore, by establishing a layer-specific modeling approach, this review paves the way for modular in silico simulations through the coupling of computational models. Such an integrative framework supports scaffold design, in vitro experimentation, preclinical validation, and the mechanobiological exploration of osteochondral degeneration and repair. These efforts are essential for deepening our understanding of tissue responses under both physiological and pathological conditions. Ultimately, this work provides a robust theoretical foundation for future in silico and in vitro studies aimed at advancing osteochondral tissue regeneration strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-224afcf66f324f36a0954fb3c33235c0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2306-5354 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Bioengineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-224afcf66f324f36a0954fb3c33235c02025-08-20T02:24:31ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542025-06-0112664910.3390/bioengineering12060649Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered PerspectiveBruna Silva0Marco Domingos1Sandra Amado2Juliana R. Dias3Paula Pascoal-Faria4Ana C. Maurício5Nuno Alves6Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, PortugalDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering & Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKCentre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, PortugalCentre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, PortugalCentre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, PortugalCentro de Estudos de Ciência Animal (CECA), Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente da Universidade do Porto (ICETA), 4050-453 Porto, PortugalCentre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, PortugalUnderstanding the complex mechanical behavior of osteochondral tissues in silico is essential for improving experimental models and advancing research in joint health and degeneration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the constitutive models currently used to represent the different layers of the osteochondral region, from articular cartilage to subchondral bone, including intermediate regions such as the tidemark and the calcified cartilage layer. Each layer exhibits unique structural and mechanical properties, necessitating a layer-specific modeling approach. Through critical comparison of existing mathematical models, the viscoelastic model is suggested as a pragmatic starting point for modeling articular cartilage zones, the tidemark, and the calcified cartilage layer, as it captures essential time-dependent behaviors such as creep and stress relaxation while ensuring computational efficiency for initial coupling studies. On the other hand, a linear elastic model was identified as an optimal starting point for both the subchondral bone plate and the subchondral trabecular bone, reflecting their dense and stiff nature, and providing a coherent framework for early-stage multilayer integration. This layered modeling approach enables the development of physiologically coherent and computationally efficient representations of osteochondral region modeling. Furthermore, by establishing a layer-specific modeling approach, this review paves the way for modular in silico simulations through the coupling of computational models. Such an integrative framework supports scaffold design, in vitro experimentation, preclinical validation, and the mechanobiological exploration of osteochondral degeneration and repair. These efforts are essential for deepening our understanding of tissue responses under both physiological and pathological conditions. Ultimately, this work provides a robust theoretical foundation for future in silico and in vitro studies aimed at advancing osteochondral tissue regeneration strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/6/649joint tissuesosteochondral modelingarticular cartilagetidemarkcalcified cartilagesubchondral bone |
| spellingShingle | Bruna Silva Marco Domingos Sandra Amado Juliana R. Dias Paula Pascoal-Faria Ana C. Maurício Nuno Alves Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered Perspective Bioengineering joint tissues osteochondral modeling articular cartilage tidemark calcified cartilage subchondral bone |
| title | Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered Perspective |
| title_full | Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered Perspective |
| title_fullStr | Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered Perspective |
| title_short | Toward Integrative Biomechanical Models of Osteochondral Tissues: A Multilayered Perspective |
| title_sort | toward integrative biomechanical models of osteochondral tissues a multilayered perspective |
| topic | joint tissues osteochondral modeling articular cartilage tidemark calcified cartilage subchondral bone |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/6/649 |
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