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Relationship between ultrastructure and biomechanical properties of the knee meniscus

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the biomechanical properties of the knee meniscus and to relate them to its ultrastructure. The knee joint menisci are semicircular, fibrocartilaginous structures interposed between the femoral and tibial condyles. For a long time, they were considered to be embryologic vestiges. This study describes the response of the knee joint meniscus to circumferential, radial and axial compressive forces. The results show an anisotropic response of the knee joint meniscus to unconfined compression. The Young’s modulus increased approximately twofold between vertical and circumferential or radial directions with a 10 mm/min-compression rate. This response is probably a direct consequence of the orientation of collagen fibres.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Amiens University Hospital, Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique, Place Victor Pauchet, 80000, Amiens, France

    A. Gabrion, E. Havet & P. Mertl

  2. Faculty of Medicine, GRAMFC, Amiens, France

    P. Aimedieu & R. Grebe

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Saint Quentin Hospital, Amiens, France

    Z. Laya

  4. Faculty of Medicine, Anatomy Laboratory, Amiens, France

    E. Havet, P. Mertl & M. Laude

Authors
  1. A. Gabrion
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  2. P. Aimedieu
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  3. Z. Laya
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  4. E. Havet
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  5. P. Mertl
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  6. R. Grebe
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  7. M. Laude
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Correspondence to A. Gabrion.

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Gabrion, A., Aimedieu, P., Laya, Z. et al. Relationship between ultrastructure and biomechanical properties of the knee meniscus. Surg Radiol Anat 27, 507–510 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-005-0031-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-005-0031-6

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