Cartilage rehydration: the sliding-induced hydrodynamic triggering mechanism
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Putignano, Carmine
Burris, David
Moore, Axel
Dini, Daniele
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Loading-induced cartilage exudation causes loss of fluid from the tissue, joint space thinning and, in a long term prospective, the insurgence of osteoarthritis. Fortunately, experiments show that joints recover interstitial fluid and thicken during articulation after static loading, thus reversing the exudation process. Here, we provide the first original theoretical explanation to this crucial phenomenon, by implementing a numerical model capable of accounting for the multiscale porous lubrication occurring in joints. We prove that sliding-induced rehydration occurs because of hydrodynamic reasons and is specifically related to a wedge effect at the contact inlet. Furthermore, numerically predicted rehydration rates are consistent with experimentally measured rates and corroborate the robustness of the model here proposed. The paper provides key information, in terms of fundamental lubrication multiscale mechanisms, to understand the rehydration of cartilage and, more generally, of any biological tissue exhibiting a significant porosity: such a theoretical framework is, thus, crucial to inform the design of new effective cartilage-mimicking biomaterials.
Date Issued
2021-04-15
Date Acceptance
2021-03-03
Citation
Acta Biomaterialia, 2021, 125, pp.90-99
ISSN
1742-7061
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
90
End Page
99
Journal / Book Title
Acta Biomaterialia
Volume
125
Copyright Statement
© 2021 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/N025954/1
Subjects
Cartilage mechanics
Multiscale porous lubrication
Rehydration in porous materials
Biomedical Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-03-03