Objective This study aims to demonstrate that cartilage nanoindentation modulus is a highly sensitive indicator of the onset and spatiotemporal progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in murine models. Design Destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM) surgery was performed on the right knees of 12-week old male, wild-type C57BL/6 mice, with Sham control on contralateral left knees. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoindentation was applied to quantify the nanoindentation modulus, Eind, of femoral condyle cartilage at 3 days to 12 weeks after surgery. The modulus changes were compared against the timeline of histological OA signs. Meanwhile, at 8 weeks after surgery, changes in meniscus, synovium and subchondral bone were evaluated to reveal the spatial progression of PTOA. Results The modulus of medial condyle cartilage was significantly reduced at 1 week after DMM, preceding the histological OA signs, which only become detectable at 4 – 8 weeks after. This reduction is likely due to concomitantly elevated proteolytic activities, as blocking enzymatic activities in mice can attenuate this modulus reduction. In later OA, lateral condyle cartilage and medial meniscus also started to be weakened, illustrating the whole-organ nature of PTOA. Conclusions This study underscores the high sensitivity of nanoindentation in examining the initiation, attenuation and progression of PTOA in murine model. Meanwhile, modulus changes highlight concomitant changes in lateral cartilage and meniscus during the advancement of OA.

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