Department of Structure and Materials, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka 76100, Malaysia.
J Biomech. 2012 May 11;45(8):1346-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.03.015. Epub 2012 Apr 5.
The spinal facet joints are known to be an important component in the kinematics and the load transmission of the spine. The articular cartilage in the facet joint is prone to degenerative changes which lead to back pain and treatments for the condition have had limited long term success. There is currently a lack of information on the basic biomechanical properties of the facet joint cartilage which is needed to develop tissue substitution or regenerative interventions. In the present study, the thickness and biphasic properties of ovine facet cartilage were determined using a combination of indentation tests and computational modelling. The equilibrium biphasic Young's modulus and permeability were derived to be 0.76±0.35 MPa and 1.61±1.10×10⁻¹⁵ m⁴/(Ns) respectively, which were within the range of cartilage properties characterised from the human synovial joints. The average thickness of the ovine facet cartilage was 0.52±0.10 mm, which was measured using a needle indentation test. These properties could potentially be used for the development of substitution or tissue engineering interventions and for computational modelling of the facet joint. Furthermore, the developed method to characterise the facet cartilage could be used for other animals or human donors.
脊柱小面关节是脊柱运动学和载荷传递的重要组成部分。小面关节的关节软骨容易发生退行性变化，导致背痛，这种情况的治疗方法在长期效果上一直有限。目前，关于小面关节软骨的基本生物力学特性的信息还很缺乏，而这些信息是开发组织替代或再生干预措施所必需的。在本研究中，使用压痕试验和计算建模相结合的方法确定了羊小面关节软骨的厚度和双相特性。得出的平衡双相杨氏模量和渗透率分别为 0.76±0.35 MPa 和 1.61±1.10×10⁻¹⁵ m⁴/(Ns)，均在滑膜关节中所表征的软骨特性范围内。羊小面关节软骨的平均厚度为 0.52±0.10mm，使用针压痕试验进行测量。这些特性可能可用于替代或组织工程干预措施的开发以及小面关节的计算建模。此外，所开发的小面关节软骨特性的表征方法可用于其他动物或人类供体。
