How do mechanical and electrical forces interact in articular cartilage? This review summarizes recent progress in cartilage biomechanics and electromechanics, emphasizing experimental techniques, findings, and emerging theories. It examines the depth-dependent inhomogeneity in mechano-electrochemical properties of articular cartilage and their relevance to structure-function relationships in normal and pathological states. The chapter discusses developments in theoretical and computational models of articular cartilage. The charged nature and depth-dependent inhomogeneity in mechano-electrochemical properties of articular cartilage are examined, and their importance in the normal and/or pathological structure-function relationships with cartilage is discussed, along with their pathophysiological implications. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the field, highlighting the importance of mechano-electrochemical properties in cartilage function and disease. It also proposes future research directions in cartilage biomechanics and mechano-biology, emphasizing the need for continued exploration of these complex interactions.
Published in the Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, this review aligns with the journal's broad scope of covering advancements in biomedical engineering. By summarizing recent experimental techniques and theoretical models related to cartilage biomechanics and electromechanics, the review contributes to the journal's goal of providing comprehensive overviews of emerging topics in the field.