Biomaterial Database

Softening of canine articular cartilage after immobilization of the knee joint. 1986

J Jurvelin, and I Kiviranta, and M Tammi, and J H Helminen

Using the indentation method, effects of immobilization with a splint for 11 weeks on the stiffness of the articular cartilage in the canine knee were investigated. Stiffness was determined for femoral, tibial, and patellar articular cartilages with nine, eight, and three test points, respectively, in the form of elastic moduli. Immobilization, without causing any macroscopic changes on cartilage surface, influenced the quality and quantity of articular cartilage. Immobilization caused significant softening of the femoral and tibial cartilages. The rate of deformation under the test load increased (42%) and the average thickness of the cartilage decreased (9%) as compared with the controls. Normal cartilage stiffness remained in the contact area between the patella and patellar surface of the femur, probably as a consequence of the sustained, but not forceful, loading between the femur and the patella produced by the flexion of the knee joint.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007103	Immobilization	The restriction of the MOVEMENT of whole or part of the body by physical means (RESTRAINT, PHYSICAL) or chemically by ANALGESIA, or the use of TRANQUILIZING AGENTS or NEUROMUSCULAR NONDEPOLARIZING AGENTS. It includes experimental protocols used to evaluate the physiologic effects of immobility.	Hypokinesia, Experimental,Experimental Hypokinesia,Experimental Hypokinesias,Hypokinesias, Experimental
D010329	Patella	The flat, triangular bone situated at the anterior part of the KNEE.	Knee Cap,Kneecap,Knee Caps,Kneecaps,Patellas
D002358	Cartilage, Articular	A protective layer of firm, flexible cartilage over the articulating ends of bones. It provides a smooth surface for joint movement, protecting the ends of long bones from wear at points of contact.	Articular Cartilage,Articular Cartilages,Cartilages, Articular
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D004548	Elasticity	Resistance and recovery from distortion of shape.
D005260	Female		Females
D005269	Femur	The longest and largest bone of the skeleton, it is situated between the hip and the knee.	Trochanter,Greater Trochanter,Lesser Trochanter,Femurs,Greater Trochanters,Lesser Trochanters,Trochanter, Greater,Trochanter, Lesser,Trochanters,Trochanters, Greater,Trochanters, Lesser
D006614	Hindlimb	Either of two extremities of four-footed non-primate land animals. It usually consists of a FEMUR; TIBIA; and FIBULA; tarsals; METATARSALS; and TOES. (From Storer et al., General Zoology, 6th ed, p73)	Hindlimbs
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001696	Biomechanical Phenomena	The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces.	Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic