BIOMECHANICAL MODULATORS OF CARTILAGE AND BONE IN THE KNEE IN VIVO

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Articular cartilage is a specialized, stiff yet flexible tissue lining bones within joints, such as the knee. This tissue is responsible for evenly distributing the enormous mechanical loads along the knee joint surfaces during physical activities. Knee cartilage is expected to manage these mechanical loads over many years of life without suffering damage. However, mechanical loads can clearly cause the breakdown of cartilage, as well as the bony structure underneath, leading to arthritis. Little research has explored the complexities of these mechanics in degrading or protecting articular cartilage and the underlying bone in the human knee. The purpose of this research program is to study the responses of articular cartilage and the underlying bone to short-term and long-term mechanical loads within the human knee. Specifically, I will