Apparatus and method for measuring the condition of articular cartilage

An apparatus 10 has a probe 22 disposed within a housing 12. A distal end 18 of the probe 22 is adapted to contact a surface of the articular cartilage and a proximal end 26 of the probe 22 is disposed within the housing 12. The apparatus 10 also includes a mass 28 disposed within the housing 12 at a position spaced from the proximal end 26 of the probe 22, and an accelerator 30 coupled to the mass 28 and configured to accelerate the mass 28 to a predetermined velocity. The mass 28, when accelerated to the predetermined velocity, creates a force that is applied to the proximal end 26 of the probe 22, thereby transmitting the predetermined force through the distal end 24 of the probe 22 to the cartilage. The mechanical response of the cartilage to the application of the force applied by the distal end 24 of the probe 22 is detected and used to assess the biomechanical condition of the cartilage.