Mechanics of Knee Joints - The Role of Fluid Pressure and Flow in Load Sharing and Cartilage Metabolism

关节软骨和半月板对于膝关节的正常机械功能是必不可少的。这些软组织由65-80%的液体组成。在日常活动中，膝关节压迫会在这些组织中引起液体流动。软骨代谢也受到滑液的调节，滑液为软骨细胞提供营养。此外，流体压力可以支持超过50%的膝盖负荷。因此，有必要充分揭示软骨和半月板中流体压力和流动的力学和生物学功能，以了解正常的膝关节力学功能。目前，由于膝关节内的流体压力测量和利用膝关节的解剖学精确模型的流体压力预测两者的困难，该信息非常有限。

Articular cartilage and meniscus are essential for the normal mechanical function of the knee joint. These soft tissues are comprised of 65-80% fluid. Fluid flow is induced in these tissues by knee compressions during daily activities. Cartilage metabolism is also regulated by the synovial fluid, which brings nutrients to cartilage cells. Furthermore, fluid pressure can support over 50% of the knee load. Therefore, it is necessary to fully discover the mechanical and biological functions of fluid pressure and flow in cartilage and meniscus in order to understand normal knee mechanical functions. Currently, this information is very limited due to difficulties in both fluid pressure measurements inside the knee and fluid pressure predictions with an anatomically accurate model of the knee joint.