An experimental study on human articular cartilage permeability

The permeability of cartilage contributes to many tissue functions, like the transport of nutrients to chondrocytes, the ability to carry high loads, and the maintenance of a lubricating fluid film between opposing articular surfaces. We measured in vitro the permeability of the human lateral tibial plateau cartilage through its depth, by measuring the fluid flow induced by an applied pressure gradient; values range from 1.38/spl times/10/sup -16/ to 8.01/spl times/10/sup -16/ m/sup 4//Ns, showing a decrease with increasing pressure in every layer and a decrease with depth for every level of applied pressure difference. We also extrapolated the permeability values from creep tests performed on the same samples.