[The biological role of the structural-deformable properties of the cartilage and of the synovial fluid in the reduction of intra- articular friction].

The authors have studied the problem of low friction of biopolymers. The most common approaches to the explanation of the mechanism of joint lubrication are characterized. It has been demonstrated that the role of elastohydrodynamic action during the friction of the cartilages is insignificant. On the basis of the experimental data a comparison of the structural and mechanical and anti-friction++ properties of the synovial medium has been made. It has been demonstrated that the results obtained, taking into consideration the regularity of the surface layers structure and the deformation properties of the cartilage testify in favour of the previous suggestion concerning the influence of the liquid crystal compounds on low friction and wear in the joint.