Determination of mechanical properties of human articular cartilage by indentation

Experiments were carried out on articular cartilage of human femoral heads taken from surgical operation. Experiments performed at 37 degrees C were run on different anatomical regions of the tissue. Compressive type ´loading-unloading´ cycles were applied through an indentor. Total and absorbed energies decreased with increasing ´loading-unloading´ periods. It is also found that energy and penetration being measurable parameters changed insignificantly with the anatomical regions of the articular cartilage.