BACKGROUND Adhesion formation limits functional recovery after flexor tendon repair. Various growth factors have been implicated in the adhesion scar process. Early growth response factor-1 (EGR-1), a transcription factor associated with synthesis of a variety of key fibrotic growth factors and expression of extracellular matrix genes, has never been identified in a tendon repair model. METHO...

PURPOSE To establish a rat flexor tendon laceration and repair model to investigate the molecular mechanisms of flexor tendon healing. METHODS Surgery was performed on rat flexor digitorum longus tendons from both hind feet. Repaired tendons were harvested at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 days after surgery. Histologic study (first 84 days) and gene expression study (first 28 days) of s...

Tendons function to transmit loads from muscle to move and stabilize joints and absorb impacts. Functionality of lacerated tendons is diminished, however clinical practice often considers surgical repair only after 50% or more of the tendon is lacerated, the "50% rule." Few studies provide mechanical insight into the 50% rule. In this study cyclic and static stress relaxation tests were perform...

The extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon is one of the most frequently ruptured tendons. The EPL is the primary extensor of the interphalangeal (IP) joint of the thumb and is also important in metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint extension. The loss of this tendon leads to an inability to extend the thumb and raise it to the level of the palm, leaving the patient with a useless thumb (1). Clinicall...

Tendons are frequently targets of injury in sports and work. Whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have beneficial effects on tendon healing is still a matter of debate. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of flunixin meglumine (FM) on tendon healing after experimentally induced acute trauma. Twenty eight adult male New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to complete t...

Extracellular matrix scaffolds have been examined for the repair of tendon rupture and biological materials have been reported to be promising in terms of promoting fast and natural healing by host cells with concurrent resorption of the materials. The present study investigated the healing effect of amniotic membrane, as a biological extracellular matrix scaffold, on the ruptured Achilles tend...