OBJECTIVE: Improved staging of cartilage degeneration is required, particularly during the early stages. We correlated mechanical properties with histological and macroscopic findings. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cartilage samples were obtained during total knee arthroplasty. Two adjacent plugs were harvested--one for histological classification and one for macroscopic and biomechanical purposes. Dynamic impact testing was performed; normal stress, dissipated energy (∆E), tangent modulus and stiffness were evaluated. RESULTS: Samples were classified according to six categories of the ICRS histological scale. Mechanical characteristics revealing significant differences between the groups (p < 0.01) were specific damping and related absolute ∆E. A significant correlation was found between the macroscopic score and specific damping, as well as absolute and relative ∆E (p < 0.01). A strong relation was revealed between relative ∆E and cartilage thickness (p < 0.001; R (2) = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Only ∆E correlated with the condition of the cartilage--the value increased with decreasing quality-and is the most suitable characteristic. This change appears substantial in initial stages of cartilage deterioration.

2 Orthopaedic Clinic University Hospital Motol Charles University Prague 5 Úvalu 84 15006 Prague 5 Czech Republic

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