O1213 CARTILAGE STIFFNESS AS AN INDICATOR OF EARLY DEGENERATIVE PROCESS IN THE KNEE

Aims: The relationship between the structural and histological changes of articular hyaline cartilage and the stiffness of this tissue was evaluated. Methods: Artscan 1000, an articular stiffness tester was used for in vivo measurements during arthroscopy indicated on orthopaedic or trauma disorders. 100 patients were involved in the study. Measurements were performed at eight standard sites: medial and lateral femoral condyles, medial and lateral tibial condyles, medial and lateral facet of the patellofemoral joint and medial and lateral facet of the patella. Standard 10N predefined loading force was applied during the measurements. The indenter force produced by the deformed cartilage tissue is used as the indicator of cartilage stiffness. Results: Clinical measurements revealed a topographical variation of the stiffness of normal cartilage. In general, the femoral cartilage is stiffer than tibial or patellar one. The stiffest cartilage was measured at the lateral femoral condyle. Conclusions: Changes of articular cartilage structure can be indirectly observed during arthroscopy as an alteration in cartilage stiffness.