Patellar cartilage deformation in vivo after static versus dynamic loading

Eckstein F, et al. · Journal of Biomechanics

In vivo patellar cartilage deforms measurably under load and the pattern differs between static and dynamic loading; fluid-flow-driven deformation and recovery is the plausible route by which cyclic load nourishes cartilage.

Population

Healthy volunteers

Intervention

Static versus dynamic (knee bend) loading with quantitative MRI of patellar cartilage

Comparator

Within-subject

Limitations

Tiny mechanistic study in healthy knees; no clinical outcomes.