Simple geometry tribological study of osteochondral graft implantation in the knee.

Robust preclinical test methods involving tribological simulations are required to investigate and understand the tribological function of osteochondral repair interventions in natural knee tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of osteochondral allograft implantation on the local tribology (friction, surface damage, wear and deformation) of the tissues in the natural knee joint using a simple geometry, reciprocating pin-on-plate friction simulator. In addition, the study aimed to assess the ability of osteochondral grafts to restore a low surface damage, deformation and wear articulation when compared to the native state. A method was developed to characterise and quantify surface damage wear and deformation of the opposing cartilage-bone pin surface using a non-contacting optical profiler (Alicona Infinite Focus). Porcine 12 mm diameter cartilage-bone pins were reciprocated against bovine cartilage-bone plates that had 6 mm diameter osteochondral allografts, cartilage defects or stainless steel pins (positive controls) inserted centrally. Increased levels of surface damage with changes in geometry were not associated with significant increases in the coefficient of dynamic friction. Significant damage to the opposing cartilage surface was observed in the positive control groups. Cartilage damage, deformation and wear (as measured by change in geometry) in the xenograft (2.4 mm3) and cartilage defect (0.99 mm3) groups were low and not significantly different (p > 0.05) compared to the negative control in either group. The study demonstrated the potential of osteochondral grafts to restore the congruent articular surface and biphasic tribology of the natural joint. An optical method has been developed to characterise cartilage wear, damage and deformation that can be applied to the tribological assessment of osteochondral grafts in a whole natural knee joint simulation model.

需要采用涉及摩擦学模拟的可靠的临床前测试方法来研究和了解骨软骨修复干预措施在天然膝关节组织中的摩擦学功能。本研究的目的是使用一种简单几何形状的往复销 - 盘摩擦模拟器，研究同种异体骨软骨移植对天然膝关节组织局部摩擦学（摩擦、表面损伤、磨损和变形）的影响。此外，该研究旨在评估与天然状态相比，骨软骨移植物恢复低表面损伤、变形和磨损关节连接的能力。开发了一种方法，使用非接触式光学轮廓仪（Alicona无限聚焦）来表征和量化相对的软骨 - 骨销表面的表面损伤、磨损和变形。将直径为12毫米的猪软骨 - 骨销与牛软骨 - 骨板进行往复运动，牛软骨 - 骨板中央插入直径为6毫米的同种异体骨软骨移植物、软骨缺损物或不锈钢销（阳性对照）。几何形状变化导致的表面损伤程度增加与动摩擦系数的显著增加无关。在阳性对照组中观察到对相对软骨表面的显著损伤。异种移植物组（2.4立方毫米）和软骨缺损组（0.99立方毫米）的软骨损伤、变形和磨损（通过几何形状变化测量）较低，与两组中的阴性对照相比，差异均不显著（p > 0.05）。该研究证明了骨软骨移植物恢复天然关节的贴合关节面和双相摩擦学特性的潜力。已经开发出一种光学方法来表征软骨磨损、损伤和变形，该方法可应用于在整个天然膝关节模拟模型中对骨软骨移植物进行摩擦学评估。