A novel computational method to predict subchondral bone adaptation below articular cartilage lesion in the knee

Cartilage defects have been suggested to cause abnormal loading of subchondral bone, which may cause an adaptive response in the bone. Here, we developed an adaptation algorithm for subchondral bone based on maximum shear strain. Strains above the physiological level were assumed to cause an increase in the Young’s modulus, while the opposite was assumed with reduced loading. The adaptive algorithm predicted areas of decreased Young’s moduli of subchondral bone under the lesions while areas of increased Young’s moduli of subchondral bone were observed around the lesions.