Prestrain decreases cartilage susceptibility to injury by ramp compression in vitro

Findings demonstrate that compressive strains due to the short-term loading history of cartilage may strongly reduce its susceptibility to mechanical injury. Conversely, matrix swelling may render cartilage more vulnerable to injury. The cartilage response to injurious compression is therefore strongly influenced by matrix fluid content, and possibly also by other structural parameters such as collagen fiber orientation.