A theoretical formulation for boundary friction in articular cartilage.

A theoretical boundary friction model is proposed for predicting the frictional behavior of articular cartilage, including its time-dependent, velocity-dependent, and load-dependent responses. This theoretical model uses the framework of the biphasic theory for articular cartilage, and provides a mathematical formulation for the principle that interstitial fluid pressurization contributes significantly to reduction of the effective friction coefficient. Several examples of the application of this theory are provided, which demonstrate that a variety of experimentally observed cartilage frictional behaviors can now be theoretically predicted.