Analysis of in-vivo articular cartilage contact surface of the knee during a step-up motion

Abstract

Background Numerous studies have reported on the tibiofemoral articular cartilage contact kinematics, however, no data has been reported on the articular cartilage geometry at the contact area. This study investigated the in-vivo tibiofemoral articular cartilage contact biomechanics during a dynamic step-up motion. Methods Ten healthy subjects were imaged using a validated magnetic resonance and dual fluoroscopic imaging technique during a step-up motion. Three-dimensional bone and cartilage models were constructed from the magnetic resonance images. The cartilage contact along the motion path was analyzed, including cartilage contact location and the cartilage surface geometry at the contact area. Findings The cartilage contact excursions were similar in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions in the medial and lateral compartments of the tibia plateau (p>0.05). Both medial and lateral compartments were under convex (femur) to convex (tibia) contact in the sagittal plane, and under convex (femur) to concave (tibia) contact in the coronal plane. The medial tibial articular contact radius was larger than the lateral side in the sagittal plane along the motion path (P<0.001). Interpretations These data revealed that both the medial and lateral compartments of the knee experienced convex (femur) to convex (tibia) contact in sagittal plane (or anteroposterior direction) during the dynamic step-up motion. These data could provide new insight into the in-vivo cartilage contact biomechanics research, and may provide guidelines for development of anatomical total knee arthroplasties that are aimed to reproduce normal knee joint kinematics

New insight on the subchondral bone and cartilage functional unit: Bone mineral density and cartilage thickness are spatially correlated in non-osteoarthritic femoral condyles

“…Another limitation is the absence of mechanical loading data. Although the locations of thickest CTh and densest sBMD agree with prior works reporting the areas of the femur in contact with the tibia during daily activities [ 16 , 29 , 34 , 35 ] and although the location of thickest CTh has been related to the knee flexion angle during walking [ 24 , 30 ], future studies should consider knee dynamics and loading patterns in addition to bone and cartilage properties for a global understanding of the osteochondral unit. In addition, the methodology is only applicable to non-OA knees, as measuring the location of thickest CTh is irrelevant in knees with substantial cartilage loss.…”

Differences in the Flexion and Extension Phases during Kneeling Investigated by Kinematic and Contact Point Analyses: A Cross-sectional Study

“…First, by using MRI-based 3D surface models, it is possible to re ect the thickness of the femoral and tibial cartilages in the results [40]. A cartilage-to-cartilage CP analysis during walking, lunging, and stair climbing has been reported using MRI-based 3D surface models [41][42][43]. Moro-oka et al…”

Osteoarthritis year in review 2018: mechanics

“…Based on these studies, the authors suggest that medial femoral condyle cartilage is "adapted" to localized loading during gait 25 . Also in healthy individuals, Yin et al 26 analyzed in vivo tibiofemoral articular cartilage contact biomechanics during a dynamic step-up motion, using MRI and dual fluoroscopic imaging, and found that both the medial and lateral compartments of the knee experienced convex (femur) to convex (tibia) contact in the sagittal plane upon fitting a circle to the curvature of the femoral condyles and tibial plateaus. Together, these studies provide important baseline information regarding cartilage composition and morphology during various activities, which can serve as a point of comparison for identifying the development and progression of disease.…”