The development, maintenance, and destruction of cartilage are regulated by mechanical
factors throughout life. Mechanical cues in the cartilage fetal endoskeleton influence the
expression of genes that guide the processes of growth, vascular invasion, and ossification.
Intermittent fluid pressure maintains the cartilage phenotype whereas mild tension (or shear)
promotes growth and ossification. The articular cartilage thickness is determined by the
position at which the subchondral growth front stabilizes. In mature joints, cartilage is …