Improved Achilles tendon healing by early mechanical loading in a rabbit model

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Chaoqian Han¹  Zengtao Hao¹  Jihong Wang¹  Dianming Jiang¹  Shangfei Jing¹  Dongsheng Fan¹  Shuzheng Wen¹ 

关键词: Achilles tendon healing;    mechanical loading;    rabbit model;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: e-Century Publishing Corporation

【 摘 要 】

Objective: To investigate the structure and the attachment strength of a healing tendon-bone interface and the role of mechanical loading in tendon healing. Methods: Sixty rabbits underwent unilateral detachment and repair of the Achilles tendon. Thirty animals were immobilized (Group A), and the others wereallowed loadingimmediately postoperatively (Group B). Animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks and evaluated for histological and biomechanical testing. Statistical analysis was performed with an independent t test with significance set at P = 0.05. Results: The ultimate stress was greater in group B (4.598 ± 1.321 N/mm²) compared with the control group (3.388 ± 0.994 N/mm²) (P < 0.05). Similarly, a more organized tendon-to-bone interface with a larger area of chondrocytes was found in group B (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mechanical loading improves the structure and the attachment strength of the healing tendon-to-bone interface.

【 授权许可】

Unknown