Healing of the Achilles Tendon: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Biomechanical properties of healing ruptures in the Achilles tendon of rabbits were examined after two, four, eight and 12 weeks. Treatment modalities were (n7): a) suture, b) fibrin-glue, c) non-surgical treatment. All animals received a functional aftertreatment consisting of a special orthotic support and free ambulation. For biomechanical testing a fixation-technique was applied that guaranteed intratendinous rupture. After two weeks, the tendons treated with fibrin glue showed better results (stiffness, maximum force to rupture, tensile stress to rupture) compared with the non-surgically treated group. The results for sutured tendons were in between those for the other groups. After four weeks, the results for sutured and for glued tendons were nearly equal and slightly better than the tendons in the non-surgical group. Late results revealed comparable biomechanical properties among all treatment groups and control tendons, suggesting our conclusion that non-surgical treatment is equal to repair using sutures or using fibrin glue as measured by stiffness and tensile stress.

Biomechanical evaluation on tendon reinsertion by comparing trans-osseous suture and suture anchor at different stages of healing: Experimental study on rabbits

“…Liquid nitrogen was then placed in the conical clamp bowl in order to freeze the muscle portion of the specimen and avoid muscle deformation and its sliding through the clamp opening. 10,20 The temperature was measured to make ensure that the tendon did not freeze, using a thermoresistance temperature sensor (model PT-100; Robertshaw do Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil), engaged to a reader (model Robertshawâ, Robertshaw do Brasil), in the proximal part of the tendon. The temperature of 10 C was used as the standard for starting the test.…”

“…The muscle-tendon segment was fixed using a conical clamp bowl type, and this was engaged to the moving part of the machine and then pretensioned to 5 N. 20 An angle of 135 was set between the 2 clamps. Liquid nitrogen was then placed in the conical clamp bowl in order to freeze the muscle portion of the specimen and avoid muscle deformation and its sliding through the clamp opening.…”

Tendon injury and repair – A perspective on the basic mechanisms of tendon disease and future clinical therapy

“…Collagen type I is ''tissuemimetic" and may eventually integrate to the host, whereas fibrin should predominantly function as a provisional scaffold and a carrier for bioactive molecules [216,217]. Both collagen [200,[218][219][220] and fibrin [221][222][223] have been used for tendon healing and ligament fusion with occasionally promising results, however restoring native mechanical properties remains an open challenge [221,223]. One possible hurdle to overcome is the fact that once injected, the materials polymerize into randomly organized scaffolds that may provide a suboptimal, or even scar-inducing, tissue template.…”

Comparison of the effects of phonophoresis and ultrasound therapy on recovery of experimental tenorrhaphy in rabbits

“…Implant application, using of silicone sheet around repaired tendon as a ring to prevent restricting adhesions, tendon treatment with fibrin glue without suture are a few of them (4,25,26). Today, variety of physical therapy techniques are used after operative treatment of tendon ruptures and injuries.…”