Journal article
Nonsurgical treatment and early return to activity leads to improved Achilles tendon fatigue mechanics and functional outcomes during early healing in an animal model
Journal of orthopaedic research, v 34(12), pp 2172-2180
Dec 2016
PMID: 27038306
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Achilles tendon ruptures are common and devastating injuries; however, an optimized treatment and rehabilitation protocol has yet to be defined. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of surgical repair and return to activity on joint function and Achilles tendon properties after 3 weeks of healing. Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 100) received unilateral blunt transection of their Achilles tendon. Animals were then randomized into repaired or non-repaired treatments, and further randomized into groups that returned to activity after 1 week (RTA1) or after 3 weeks (RTA3) of limb casting in plantarflexion. Limb function, passive joint mechanics, and tendon properties (mechanical, organizational using high frequency ultrasound, histological, and compositional) were evaluated. Results showed that both treatment and return to activity collectively affected limb function, passive joint mechanics, and tendon properties. Functionally, RTA1 animals had increased dorsiflexion ROM and weight bearing of the injured limb compared to RTA3 animals 3-weeks post-injury. Such functional improvements in RTA1 tendons were evidenced in their mechanical fatigue properties and increased cross sectional area compared to RTA3 tendons. When RTA1 was coupled with nonsurgical treatment, superior fatigue properties were achieved compared to repaired tendons. No differences in cell shape, cellularity, GAG, collagen type I, or TGF-β staining were identified between groups, but collagen type III was elevated in RTA3 repaired tendons. The larger tissue area and increased fatigue resistance created in RTA1 tendons may prove critical for optimized outcomes in early Achilles tendon healing following complete rupture. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:2172-2180, 2016.
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Details
- Title
- Nonsurgical treatment and early return to activity leads to improved Achilles tendon fatigue mechanics and functional outcomes during early healing in an animal model
- Creators
- Benjamin R Freedman - University of PennsylvaniaJoshua A Gordon - University of PennsylvaniaPankti R Bhatt - University of PennsylvaniaAdam M Pardes - University of PennsylvaniaStephen J Thomas - University of PennsylvaniaJoseph J Sarver - University of PennsylvaniaCorinne N Riggin - University of PennsylvaniaJennica J Tucker - University of PennsylvaniaAlexis W Williams - University of PennsylvaniaRobert C Zanes - University of PennsylvaniaMichael W Hast - University of PennsylvaniaDaniel C Farber - University of PennsylvaniaKarin G Silbernagel - University of DelawareLouis J Soslowsky - University of Pennsylvania
- Publication Details
- Journal of orthopaedic research, v 34(12), pp 2172-2180
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- P30 AR050950 / NIAMS NIH HHS T32 AR007132 / NIAMS NIH HHS R01 AR064216 / NIAMS NIH HHS T32 AR007442 / NIAMS NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000392536500017
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84963818613
- Other Identifier
- 991019168397104721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Orthopedics