Viscoelasticity of “normal” and pathological synovial fluid¹

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Anadere, I.^a | Chmiel, H.^a | Laschner, W.^b

Affiliations: [a] Fraunhofer-Institut für Grenzflächen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik, Eierstrasse 46, 7000 Stuttgart 1, FRG | [b] Abteilung für orthopädische Rheumatologie, Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie Dr. Baumann e. V., Alexanderstrasse 5–7 a, 7000 Stuttgart 1, FRG

Note: [1] Third International Congress of Biorheology

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor Y.C.B. Fung

Abstract: The viscoelastic parameters of synovial fluids (SF) from various joint diseases and pure hyaluronic acid (HA) solutions of various concentrations were investigated. The complex coefficient of viscosity for these fluids confirmed to show non newtonian flow effects and to be also a function of the HA content. HA solutions at higher concentrations and SF with meniscus defects and degenerative joint disease show higher elastic components than the viscous. This effect is reversed in the case of traumatic and rheumatic arthritis. The latter display a decrease in both viscous and elastic components. The elastic component proved to be a more sensitive indicator of the changes in joint effusions.

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1979-16306

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 179-184, 1979