Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a chronic, progressive disease. The aim of this paper is presenting the AFM investigation of cartilage in relation to the assessment of degenerative changes in the surface of hyaline cartilage. It can be useful in choosing the most effective methods of therapy.
Methods: Samples were taken from the cartilage surface of the femoral head after its removal during total hip arthroplasty. Images of the surface of the sample were obtained using an optical microscope equipped with a digital video camera, in the reflected light and by atomic force microscopy.
Results: The longitudinal orientation of the collagen fibers and sub-fibers beams on the surface, up to a diameter of 50 nm are identified in non-destroyed area sites.
Conclusions: Images of the destroyed areas displaying separately passing collagen fibers, strongly exposed to the surface: the size measured and found substructure.

Keywords: osteoarthritis, atomic force microscopy, hyaline cartilage