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Mechanical stresses and endochondral ossification in the chondroepiphysis
Author(s) -
Carter Dennis R.,
Wong Marcy
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.1100060120
Subject(s) - endochondral ossification , ossification , hydrostatic equilibrium , hydrostatic pressure , finite element method , shear (geology) , shear stress , stress field , structural engineering , shearing (physics) , materials science , cartilage , geology , mechanics , geotechnical engineering , anatomy , physics , engineering , composite material , medicine , paleontology , quantum mechanics
In 1911, Gebhardt used a photoelastic model to relate mechanical stresses to the ossification pattern of the chondroepiphysis. Pauwels later conducted a photoelastic study using the same model geometry to develop a theory that the secondary ossific nucleus originates at a position of high‐magnitude hydrostatic pressure where the shear stresses are zero. We conducted two‐dimensional finite element analyses of the model used by Gebhardt and Pauwels. We demonstrate that Pauwels's photoelastic results are correct but are based on the imposition of incorrect boundary conditions. When more realistic boundary conditions were used, the finite element results changed dramatically. These results suggest that (a) the ossific nucleus appears in an area of high shear (deviatoric) stresses; (b) the edge of the advancing ossification front (zone of Ranvier or ossification grove) also experiences high shear stresses; and (c) the joint surface, where articular cartilage forms, is exposed to high‐magnitude hydrostatic compression. These findings support the theory proposed by Carter and associates that intermittently applied shear stresses (or strain energy) promote endochondral ossification and that intermittently applied hydrostatic compression inhibits or prevents cartilage degeneration and ossification.