A non-invasive method of tendon force measurement.
Abstract: The ability to measure the forces exerted in vivo on tendons and, consequently, the forces produced by muscles on tendons, offers a unique opportunity to investigate questions in disciplines as varied as physiology, biomechanics, orthopaedics and neuroscience. Until now, tendon loads could be assessed directly only by means of invasive sensors implanted within or attached to these collagenous structures. This study shows that the forces acting on tendons can be measured, in a non-invasive way, from the analysis of the propagation of an acoustic wave. Using the equine superficial digital flexor tendon as a model, it is demonstrated that the velocity of an ultrasonic wave propagating along the main axis of a tendon increases with the force applied to this tendon. Furthermore, we show that this velocity measurement can be performed even in the presence of skin overlying the tendon. To validate this measurement technique in vivo, the ultrasonic velocity plots obtained in the Achilles tendon at the walk were compared to the loads plots reported by other authors using invasive transducers.
Publication Date: 2005-08-09 PubMed ID: 16084214DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.09.012Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research proposes a non-invasive way to measure the force exerted on tendons by analyzing the propagation of an acoustic wave. It suggests that the velocity of an ultrasonic wave increases with the force applied to a tendon, and this measurement is possible even when the skin covers the tendon.
Overview of the Study
- The researchers started this study to develop a non-invasive method of measuring the forces applied to tendons. This method could provide significant insights in various fields like physiology, biomechanics, orthopaedics, and neuroscience.
- Conventionally, such measurements were only possible using invasive sensors implanted within or attached to tendons. However, this approach had significant limitations, including the possibility of infection and discomfort. Hence, the researchers sought a non-invasive alternative.
Methodology
- The researchers used an equine superficial digital flexor tendon as a model for their study. Through this, they demonstrated that the propagation speed of an ultraviolet wave along a tendon’s main axis increases with the force applied on this tendon.
- Furthermore, they also found that they could perform this same measurement even when the skin covered the tendon, making this approach a potential non-invasive option.
Validation of the Method
- To validate their method’s accuracy, the research team compared the ultrasonic velocity plots they obtained from the Achilles tendon at a walk with the load plots from other studies that used invasive transducers.
- The results showed a correlation between the ultrasonic velocity plot’s values with the figures obtained from previous invasive methods. These findings helped verify the efficacy of the new non-invasive method of measuring tendon force.
Implications of the Study
- This new way of measuring tendon forces could revolutionize the fields of biomechanics, physiology, orthopedics, and neuroscience. It provides a reliable and non-invasive method of obtaining data without the need for implanting sensors into the human body.
- Moreover, it can be a useful tool in research and rehabilitation, allowing for accurate characterization and monitoring of tendon health and function.
Cite This Article
APA
Pourcelot P, Defontaine M, Ravary B, Lemâtre M, Crevier-Denoix N.
(2005).
A non-invasive method of tendon force measurement.
J Biomech, 38(10), 2124-2129.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.09.012 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Unité de Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du Cheval UMR INRA/ENVA 957, Maisons-Alfort, France. ppourcelot@vet-alfort.fr
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- France
- Horses
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Wagner FC, Gerlach K, Geiger SM, Gittel C, Böttcher P, Mülling CKW. Biplanar High-Speed Fluoroscopy of Pony Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT)-An In Vivo Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2021 May 27;8(6).
- Wearing SC, Kuhn L, Pohl T, Horstmann T, Brauner T. Transmission-Mode Ultrasound for Monitoring the Instantaneous Elastic Modulus of the Achilles Tendon During Unilateral Submaximal Vertical Hopping. Front Physiol 2020;11:567641.
- Martin JA, Brandon SCE, Keuler EM, Hermus JR, Ehlers AC, Segalman DJ, Allen MS, Thelen DG. Gauging force by tapping tendons. Nat Commun 2018 Apr 23;9(1):1592.
- Wulf M, Shanker M, Schuetz M, Lutz M, Langton CM, Hooper SL, Smeathers JE, Brauner T, Wearing SC. Lower material stiffness in rupture-repaired Achilles tendon during walking: transmission-mode ultrasound for post-surgical tendon evaluation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2018 Jul;26(7):2030-2037.
- Jacobs DA, Ferris DP. Estimation of ground reaction forces and ankle moment with multiple, low-cost sensors. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2015 Oct 14;12:90.
- Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Aida H, Hiraga A. In vivo measurements of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament forces during trotting using the thoroughbred forelimb model. J Equine Sci 2014;25(1):15-22.
- Ellison M, Kobayashi H, Delaney F, Danielson K, Vanderby R Jr, Muir P, Forrest LJ. Feasibility and repeatability for in vivo measurements of stiffness gradients in the canine gastrocnemius tendon using an acoustoelastic strain gauge. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2013 Sep-Oct;54(5):548-54.
- Delhaye B, Hayward V, Lefèvre P, Thonnard JL. Texture-induced vibrations in the forearm during tactile exploration. Front Behav Neurosci 2012;6:37.
- Sheehan FT. The 3D in vivo Achilles' tendon moment arm, quantified during active muscle control and compared across sexes. J Biomech 2012 Jan 10;45(2):225-30.
- Rastegarpanah A, Taylor SJG. A wireless buckle transducer for measurement of human forearm tendon tension: operational principles and finite element study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024;12:1278740.
- Wearing SC, Hooper SL, Langton CM, Keiner M, Horstmann T, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P. The Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Tissues during Activities of Daily Living: Dynamic Assessment Using Quantitative Transmission-Mode Ultrasound Techniques. Healthcare (Basel) 2024 Jun 24;12(13).
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