Investigation of techniques for the measurement of articular cartilage surface roughness

► Using SEM stereoscopic imaging, the measured surface roughness of PDMS and articular cartilage increases with increasing magnification. ► The surface roughness, Ra, of bovine articular cartilage was in the range 165.4 ± 5.2 nm to 174 ± 39.3 nm, when measured using SEM stereoscopic imaging. ► The surface roughness, Ra, of bovine articular cartilage was in the range 82.6 ± 4.6 nm to 114.4 ± 44.9 nm, when measured using AFM. ► When making comparisons between the surface roughness of articular cartilage it is important that the same technique is used.