Fig. 2

Example set-up at actuator (a) for mechanical testing with stainless-steel indenter (b) at off-bone cartilage specimen (c) and lowest density underlying substrate (d), within customised test rig (e). Cartilage off-bone specimen is positioned above the substrate. Stainless-steel indenter is lowered onto the cartilage-off-bone specimen for testing, movement operated with testing machine. Load cell component (f) for experimental load control