Effect of stiffness change of calcified cartilage zone on the stress of osteochondral structure using finite element analysis

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.1126

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: From childhood to adulthood, and to old age, the stiffness of calcified cartilage zone increases gradually. But it is poorly understood that the effect of stiffness change of calcified cartilage zone on the stress of articular osteochondral structure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stiffness change of calcified cartilage zone on the stress of articular osteochondral structure using finite element analysis.

METHODS: A finite element model of osteochondral structure was established with hyaline cartilage, calcified cartilage zone and subchondral bone. Then, by simulating the features of childhood, adulthood and old age, three corresponding finite element models were created: calcified cartilage zone soft model, calcified cartilage zone normal model, and calcified cartilage zone hard model. Compression loads (0.5-3.0 MPa) were respectively applied to the three models so as to compare the stress distributions of three layers among three models.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) When calcified cartilage zone became hard, the maximum stress of itself was 26.51% more than normal, whereas the maximum stress of hyaline cartilage was similar to the normal. (2) When calcified cartilage zone became soft, the maximum stress of itself and hyaline cartilage was 52.09% and 33.93% less than normal, respectively. Besides, the calcified cartilage zone soft model would be out of action when the compression load was higher than 1.0 MPa. (3) In summary, hardened calcified cartilage zone suffers more stress than normal and does no effect on the stress of hyaline cartilage. Softened calcified cartilage zone renders the stresses of itself and hyaline cartilage to be much less than normal and allows osteochondral structure to bear small compression loads.

Key words: Cartilage, Bone and Bones, Finite Element Analysis, Biomechanics, Tissue Engineering

CLC Number:

R445|R318

Chen Kaining, Nong Mingshan, Ye Qing, Luo Liuning, Yang Xing, Chen Cheng, Wang Fuyou. Effect of stiffness change of calcified cartilage zone on the stress of osteochondral structure using finite element analysis [J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2019, 23(12): 1881-1886.

Figures/Tables 5

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