Figure 1.

Cartilage stabilization via a combination of reinforcement and sealing. A) Schematic depicting the consequences of cartilage injury, including compromised mechanics, chondrocyte death, and matrix loss. B) Two approaches to stabilize damaged cartilage: biomaterial-mediated (BM) reinforcement and superficial-zone (SZ) like sealing. C) Finite element simulation of fluid flux (μL/s*mm²) in different scenarios: Healthy cartilage with intact superficial zone, degenerated defect, reinforced degenerated defect, sealed degenerated defect, and reinforced and sealed degenerated defect. Color bar range = 0.00–0.04. D) Schematic depicting cartilage at surface (top 20 μm) and below surface (20–200 μm). E) Distribution of fluid flux (μL/s*mm²) either at or below surface. Single distribution is represented as violin plot.