2D Spatial Analysis of Chondrocyte Distribution: Implications for Identifying Representative Volume Elements for Multiscale Knee Modeling

Finite element analysis (FEA) of the knee including joint, tissue and cell representations can be used to predict chondrocyte stresses in the cartilage given the joint level loading. This is of clinical significance since excessive loading on the joint may cause elevated cartilage stresses, potentially inducing chondrocyte apoptosis [1]. However, the level of complexity of a model that fully represents all cells within the cartilage is prohibitive given the current state of computational technology if results are desired in a timely fashion.