Hyperelastic properties of human meniscal attachments

Abstract

Meniscal attachments are ligamentous tissues anchoring the menisci to the underlying subchondral bone. Currently little is known about the behavior of meniscal attachments, with only a few studies quantitatively documenting their properties. The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the tensile mechanical properties of human meniscal attachments in the transverse direction, curve fit experimental Cauchy stress–stretch data to evaluate the hyperelastic behavior, and couple these results with previously obtained longitudinal data to generate a more complete constitutive model. Meniscal attachment specimens were tested using a uniaxial tension test with the collagen fibers oriented perpendicular to the loading axis. Tests were run until failure and load-optical displacement data was recorded for each test. The medial posterior attachment was shown to have a significantly greater elastic modulus (6.42±0.78 MPa) and ultimate stress (1.73±0.32 MPa) when compared to the other three attachments. The Mooney–Rivlin material model was selected as the best fit for the transverse data and used in conjunction with the longitudinal data. A novel computational approach to determining the transition point between the toe and linear regions is presented for the hyperelastic stress–stretch curves. Results from piece-wise non-linear longitudinal curve fitting correlate well with previous linear elastic and SEM findings. These data can be used to advance the design of meniscal replacements and improve knee joint finite element models.