BACKGROUND Our previous study showed that electroacupuncture (EA) increases the concentration and reorganisation of collagen in a rat model of tendon healing. However, the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils after acupuncture is unknown. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of acupuncture protocols on the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils during tendon healing. METHODS Sixty-four rats were divid...

Angiogenesis is a natural and complex process controlled by angiogenic and angiostatic molecules, with a central role in healing process. One of the most important modulating factors in angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 promotes healing demonstrating particular angiogenic/angiomodulatory potential. We correlated the angiogenic effect of BPC ...

Defect of the tendon sheath after tendon injury is a main reason for tendon adhesions, but it is a daunting challenge for the biomimetic substitute of the tendon sheath after injury due to its multi-layer membrane-like structure and complex biologic functions. In this study, a multi-layer membrane with celecoxib-loaded poly(l-lactic acid)-polyethylene glycol (PELA) electrospun fibrous membrane ...

Although impaired wound healing associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus has been well studied in skin tissue, the influence of this metabolic disorder on tendon healing and recovery has not been extensively investigated. Because tendons are known to have limited repair potential, we studied the tendon-healing process by using a diabetic rat tendonitis model. We tested the hypothesis that diabe...

The problems of repair and grafting of tendons have received considerable attention. However, conclusions have been hampered by lack of a standard terminology and by attempts to assign the origin oftendon, paratenon, and cicatrix to distinct types ofcell. The potentialities of cells under stress have been insufficiently recognised. Beltzow (1883), Viering (1891), Busse (1892), Rehn (1919) and S...

Our understanding of the pathogenesis of "tendinopathy" is based on fragmented evidences like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. We propose a "failed healing theory" to knit these fragments together, which can explain previous observations. We also propose that albeit "overuse injury" and other insidious "micro trauma" may well be primary triggers of the process, "tendinopathy" is not an "overuse injur...

Surgical treatment for tendon injuries can be done using several repair techniques, but they always involve placement of suture material. The arrangement of the suture needs to maintain the apposition of the tendon stumps, preferably under conditions of movement. During the healing process, the suture thread should cause minimal tissue reaction and should have sufficient resistance to traction ...

Injury to muscle and tendon structures can substantially affect individual joint mobility and stability. Furthermore, muscle and tendon injuries can alter movement of the entire body and ultimately limit functional participation in life activities. The goal of this chapter is to aid the clinician in identifying and treating muscle and tendon injuries. Specifically, the objectives of this chapte...