Principal Investigator: Nicholas J. Giori, MD, PhD Project Category: Arthritis - 2005 Objective: In this project, we strive to image articular cartilage in an intact joint under physiologic dynamic loading conditions. The goal is to be able to compare the deformation of articular cartilage that is loaded normally and with the deformation of articular cartilage that is loaded in a way that will lead to osteoarthritis. We hope to understand a specific mechanical stimulus that leads to osteoarthritis. This could eventually lead to further studies on the early biochemical changes in articular cartilage that is loaded abnormally and can lead to novel treatments and prevention strategies for osteoarthritis. Milestones:
Work Accomplished: An MRI compatible device that can apply static and dynamic physiologic loads to a sheep knee in a 4.7 T MRI scanner has been built and tested. Static and dynamic tests have been conducted. We have found that the nominal compressive strain on tibial articular cartilage under the meniscus when the knee joint is axially loaded is nearly uniform, but when the meniscus is removed, joint contact area decreases by 60% and the peak nominal strain increases by 13%. A similar pattern occurs after cyclic loading. Expected Outcome: This study will help us to understand the mechanical factors that cause osteoarthritis. Publications: Song Y, Greve J, Koo S, Giori NJ: MR Imaging and 3-D Articular Cartilage Thickness Mapping of a Mechanically Loaded Knee Joint With and Without Meniscectomy. Trans Orthop Res Soc 51:38, 2005. Haemer JM, Wang MJ, Giori NJ: Resection of one leaf following horizontal meniscus tears is biomechanically comparable to resection of both leaves. American Society of Biomechanics Northwest Biomechanics Symposium, Seattle, May 13-14, 2005. Funding Source: Whitaker Foundation Funding Status: Active
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