關節軟骨 ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

關節軟骨 ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

關節軟骨是一層薄薄的組織，排列在所有雙關節的骨端。健康的關節軟骨使我們更容易移動。它允許骨骼在彼此之間滑動，摩擦很小，并改善了骨骼之間的負荷轉移。關節軟骨退行性變的特點是結構和生化改變導致骨關節炎（OA）的臨床綜合征。這些變化將導致機械功能的嚴重喪失，并成為疼痛的根源。為了找到緩解癥狀或終*OA的治療方法和藥物，醫生和研究人員需要研究人類和動物模型中的疾病演變和治療效果。無論是在人類全膝關節置換時，還是在動物模型的尸檢時，對整個關節表面的體外機械壓痕作圖或對活檢樣品的機械測試都能產生大量關于降解模式和組織生化成分的有用信息。

Articular cartilage is the thin layer of tissue which lines the bony ends of all diarthrodial joints. Healthy cartilage in our joints makes it easier to move. It allows the bones to glide over each other with very little friction and improves the load transfer between bones. Articular cartilage degeneration is characterized by structural and biochemical changes leading to the clinical syndrome of Osteoarthritis (OA). These changes will lead to a significant loss of mechanical function and be the source of pain. In their efforts to find treatments and drugs to alleviate the symptoms or to eventually cure OA, doctors and researchers need to study the disease evolution and the effect of treatments in humans and in animal models. Either by the time of total knee replacement in humans or at necropsy in animal models, ex vivo mechanical indentation mapping of entire articular surface or mechanical testing of biopsies samples can generate a huge amount of useful information about degradation patterns and tissue biochemical composition.