Back to Search
Start Over
Achilles tendon healing: A correlation between functional and mechanical performance in the rat
- Source :
- Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 11:897-906
- Publication Year :
- 1993
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 1993.
-
Abstract
- The pathogenesis and treatment of rupture of the Achilles tendon remain a source of controversy. This study presents the results of a biomechanical, functional, and morphological evaluation of a group of rats that had division and repair of the Achilles tendon. A total of 46 rats were used: 18 for biomechanical testing, 18 for functional evaluation, and 10 for histology. Morphological examination revealed an early inflammatory response with loose connective tissue formation that was replaced gradually by fibroblasts and a collagenous matrix. The functional evaluation (Achilles functional index [AFI]) was made from measurements of the hind pawprints of walking rats. Division and repair of the Achilles tendon produced a significant functional impairment (mean [+/- SEM] AFI = -87 +/- 8; p < 0.001), which gradually improved with healing time. The load to failure for the repaired tendons consistently improved with healing time, in a manner similar to the functional recovery. The average deformation (repair/control) varied considerably and was not related to healing time. The stiffness of the repaired tendons increased with healing time and was 60% of the corresponding control side by day 15. The major finding of this study was a strong correlation between the AFI and the failure load of the healing tendon-bone constructs (250-300 g group, r = 0.97, p < 0.001; 325-375 g group, r = 0.96, p < 0.001).
- Subjects :
- Male
Loose connective tissue
Wound Healing
Achilles tendon
Time Factors
business.industry
Biomechanics
Histology
Anatomy
Matrix (biology)
Achilles Tendon
Pathophysiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
medicine.anatomical_structure
Load to failure
medicine
Animals
Regression Analysis
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Wound healing
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1554527X and 07360266
- Volume :
- 11
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Orthopaedic Research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....313f42c5667d8e3fd40796a349651878