1Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, England
An experimental procedure is described for performing indentation tests on the articular cartilage of the human femoral head, in vitro.
A method is described for calculating the creep modulus of articular cartilage, at 2 sec after application of the load, from indentations measured normal to the articular surface.
The method takes into account the limited and variable thickness of cartilage and permits variations in cartilage stiffness on the femoral head, as measured by the creep modulus, to be recorded.