Articular Cartilage

The textbook "Articular Cartilage" from VDM Verlag offers a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms that occur in healthy articular cartilage. It highlights the crucial factors that influence pathological changes, particularly in conditions such as osteoarthritis. By combining biochemical and mechanical aspects, the extraordinary performance of articular cartilage is examined. The book employs unconfined compression and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to gain detailed insights into the properties of hyaline cartilage, especially in the bovine knee joint. The tests conducted, including static, creep, and dynamic assessments, allow for a well-founded evaluation of the cartilage's response to external stresses. Additionally, the surface structure and roughness values of the cartilage are described using AFM. This book is aimed at (bio)medical scientists seeking a deeper understanding of the mechanics and biochemistry of articular cartilage.