The influence of continuous sliding and subsequent surface wear on the friction of articular cartilage

Reciprocating motion friction tests were conducted upon cartilage-on-metal contacts while subjected to a constant load. Initial friction coefficients were compared with repeat friction coefficients following a sufficient load removal period. The repeat friction coefficients were marginally higher than the initial values and both were primarily dependent on the loading time. It was concluded that while a wear component had been identified, which modestly increased friction coefficients, the overriding parameter influencing friction was loading time. The authors postulate that fluid phase load carriage (being dependent on loading time) within the articular cartilage is largely responsible for low friction coefficients in the mixed and boundary lubrication regimes. This mechanism has been referred to as biphasic lubrication. Both synovial fluid and Ringer's solution were used as lubricants. Over the assessed 120 min loading time friction coefficients rose from 0.005 (for both lubricants) after 5 s to 0.50 and 0.57 for synovial fluid and Ringer's solution respectively. Synovial fluid was found to significantly reduce friction coefficients compared to Ringer's solution over broad ranges of the assessed loading times (p<0.05). Stylus and non-contacting laser profilometry were successfully employed to provide reliable, quantitative and accurate measures of surface roughness. Laser profilometry before and after a continuous sliding friction test revealed a significant increase in surface roughness from R a = 0.8(±0.2) μm to R a = 2.1 (±0.2) μm, (p < 0.0005); confirming that surface wear was occurring. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the typical highly orientated collagen fibres of the superficial tangential zone. Environmental SEM (ESEM) of fully hydrated cartilage specimens provided largely featureless images of the surface which suggested that sample preparation for conventional SEM was detrimental to the authenticity of the cartilage surface appearance using SEM. Two distinct acellular, non-collagenous surface layers were identified using ESEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM); respectively referred to as the boundary layer and surface lamina. The phospholipid/glycoprotein based boundary layer will provide boundary lubrication during intimate contact of opposing cartilage surfaces. The surface lamina, being a continuum of the proteoglycan interfibrillar matrix, is present to prevent fibrillation of the underlying collagen fibres. Both layers may contribute to the time dependent frictional response of articular cartilage. Although laser profilometry did reveal surface wear which was consistent with a small increase in friction, the primary variable controlling the friction coefficient was the period of loading.