  In previous works, the author and collaborators establish a mathematical
model for injury response in articular cartilage. In this paper we use
mathematical software and computational techniques, applied to an existing
model to explore in more detail how the behavior of cartilage cells is
influenced by several of, what are believed to be, the most significant
mechanisms underlying cartilage injury response at the cellular level. We
introduce a control parameter, the radius of attenuation, and present some new
simulations that shed light on how inflammation associated with cartilage
injuries impacts the metabolic activity of cartilage cells. The details
presented in the work can help to elucidate targets for more effective
therapies in the preventative treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
