Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced Diagnostics
Articular cartilage (AC) plays an important role in the biomechanics of synovial joints. Its task is to enable smooth movement and transfer of mechanical loads with minimised friction. AC is characterised by unique mechanical properties resulting from its complex structure, in which the dominant com...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Robert Karpiński Aleksandra Prus Jacek Baj Sebastian Radej Marcin Prządka Przemysław Krakowski Kamil Jonak |
| author_facet | Robert Karpiński Aleksandra Prus Jacek Baj Sebastian Radej Marcin Prządka Przemysław Krakowski Kamil Jonak |
| author_sort | Robert Karpiński |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Articular cartilage (AC) plays an important role in the biomechanics of synovial joints. Its task is to enable smooth movement and transfer of mechanical loads with minimised friction. AC is characterised by unique mechanical properties resulting from its complex structure, in which the dominant components are type II collagen, proteoglycans and water. Healthy articular cartilage shows elasticity in compression, viscoelastic properties, and the ability to relax stresses under the influence of cyclic loads. In response to different loading modes, it shows anisotropic and non-uniform behaviour, which translates into its cushioning and protective function for the subchondral bone. Significant changes occur in the structure and mechanical properties of cartilage with age as a result of mechanical overload or degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis. This results in a deterioration of the cushioning and mechanical function, which leads to progressive degradation of joint tissues. Understanding the mechanical properties of AC is crucial for developing effective diagnostic methods. Analysis of changes in mechanical properties contributes to the early detection of pathological changes. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge regarding the structure and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage, and to analyse conventional and alternative diagnostic methods in the context of their suitability for assessing the state of AC, particularly in the early stages of degenerative processes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-baf75036dfaa4ddba02457ec8cdcbc03 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-baf75036dfaa4ddba02457ec8cdcbc032025-08-20T03:26:21ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512689610.3390/app15126896Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced DiagnosticsRobert Karpiński0Aleksandra Prus1Jacek Baj2Sebastian Radej3Marcin Prządka4Przemysław Krakowski5Kamil Jonak6Department of Machine Design and Mechatronics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Technical Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Information Technology, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Orthopedics and Movement Traumatology, Provincial Integrated Hospital, Szpitalna 45, 62-504 Konin, PolandDepartment of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Technical Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Information Technology, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, PolandArticular cartilage (AC) plays an important role in the biomechanics of synovial joints. Its task is to enable smooth movement and transfer of mechanical loads with minimised friction. AC is characterised by unique mechanical properties resulting from its complex structure, in which the dominant components are type II collagen, proteoglycans and water. Healthy articular cartilage shows elasticity in compression, viscoelastic properties, and the ability to relax stresses under the influence of cyclic loads. In response to different loading modes, it shows anisotropic and non-uniform behaviour, which translates into its cushioning and protective function for the subchondral bone. Significant changes occur in the structure and mechanical properties of cartilage with age as a result of mechanical overload or degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis. This results in a deterioration of the cushioning and mechanical function, which leads to progressive degradation of joint tissues. Understanding the mechanical properties of AC is crucial for developing effective diagnostic methods. Analysis of changes in mechanical properties contributes to the early detection of pathological changes. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge regarding the structure and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage, and to analyse conventional and alternative diagnostic methods in the context of their suitability for assessing the state of AC, particularly in the early stages of degenerative processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6896articular cartilagebiomechanicstissue engineeringosteoarthritisanatomydiagnostics |
| spellingShingle | Robert Karpiński Aleksandra Prus Jacek Baj Sebastian Radej Marcin Prządka Przemysław Krakowski Kamil Jonak Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced Diagnostics Applied Sciences articular cartilage biomechanics tissue engineering osteoarthritis anatomy diagnostics |
| title | Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced Diagnostics |
| title_full | Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced Diagnostics |
| title_fullStr | Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced Diagnostics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced Diagnostics |
| title_short | Articular Cartilage: Structure, Biomechanics, and the Potential of Conventional and Advanced Diagnostics |
| title_sort | articular cartilage structure biomechanics and the potential of conventional and advanced diagnostics |
| topic | articular cartilage biomechanics tissue engineering osteoarthritis anatomy diagnostics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6896 |
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