A rheological measurement of three synovial fluids

Summary

Using aWeissenberg Rheogoniometer, three samples of bovine synovial fluid were tested at room temperature (60 °F) at shear rates from 1.0 × 10⁻² to 9.0 × 10³ sec⁻¹.

There is no apparent explanation for the absence (or small value outside the instruments' range) of normal stress in ankle fluid ‘A’. No information was available as to the rearing environment of the animals.

It is clear, however, that synoval fluid can exhibit a high elastic component. The shear rate to which the fluid is subjected during the normal action of the joint is probably quite as high as the maximum value used in these tests.