Axial speed of sound for the monitoring of injured equine tendons: a preliminary study.
Abstract: Equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) are often injured, and they represent an excellent model for human sport tendinopathies. While lesions can be precisely diagnosed by clinical evaluation and ultrasonography, a prognosis is often difficult to establish; the knowledge of the injured tendon's mechanical properties would help in anticipating the outcome. The objectives of the present study were to compare the axial speed of sound (SOS) measured in vivo in normal and injured tendons and to investigate their relationship with the tendons' mechanical parameters, in order to assess the potential of quantitative axial ultrasound to monitor the healing of the injured tendons. SOS was measured in vivo in the right fore SDFTs of 12 horses during walk, before and 3.5 months after the surgical induction of a bilateral core lesion. The 12 horses were then euthanized, their SDFTs isolated and tested in tension to measure their elastic modulus and maximal load (and corresponding stress). SOS significantly decreased from 2179.4 ± 31.4 m/s in normal tendons to 2065.8 ± 67.1 m/s 3.5 months after the surgical induction, and the tendons' elastic modulus (0.90 ± 0.17 GPa) was found lower than what has been reported in normal tendons. While SOS was not correlated to tendon maximal load and corresponding stress, the SOS normalized on its value in normal tendons was correlated to the tendons' elastic modulus. These preliminary results confirm the potential of axial SOS in helping the functional assessment of injured tendon.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-10-22 PubMed ID: 22018583DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.10.016Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates the use of axial speed of sound (SOS) in monitoring the healing of injured horse tendons, providing valuable insight for human sport injury management.
Objective of the Study
- The aim of the research was to explore the use of SOS in equine tendon injury diagnosis and prognosis.
- The researchers looked at the correlation between SOS in healthy and injured tendons and the tendons’ mechanical parameters, particularly their elastic modulus and maximum load.
Methodology of the Study
- The study involved twelve horses, each having their right fore superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) surgically induced with bilateral core lesions. The SOS measurements were taken during a walk, before and after the induction (3.5 months later).
- After the observation period, the horses were euthanized and the SDFTs were isolated and put under tension to gauge their elastic modulus and maximum load.
Findings of the Study
- The SOS in injured tendons (2065.8 ± 67.1 m/s) was significantly lower than that of the normal ones (2179.4 ± 31.4 m/s).
- The elastic modulus of the injured tendons (0.90 ± 0.17 GPa) was found to be lower than typically reported for healthy tendons.
- There was no correlation found between SOS and the tendons’ maximum load and corresponding stress.
- However, once normalized based on the value in normal tendons, there was a correlation between the SOS and the tendons’ elastic modulus.
Implication of the Study
- The results suggest the potential of using SOS measurements to assess the functional condition of injured tendons.
- While being an early-stage study with a very specific context, it opens the door for future research on the role of SOS in sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Cite This Article
APA
Vergari C, Pourcelot P, Ravary-Plumioën B, Dupays AG, Jacquet S, Audigié F, Denoix JM, Laugier P, Mitton D, Crevier-Denoix N.
(2011).
Axial speed of sound for the monitoring of injured equine tendons: a preliminary study.
J Biomech, 45(1), 53-58.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.10.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, USC BPLC 957, Maisons-Alfort F-94704, France. c.vergari@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
- Elastic Modulus / physiology
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Forelimb / injuries
- Forelimb / physiopathology
- Horses / injuries
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
- Tendon Injuries / physiopathology
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Tendons / physiopathology
- Ultrasonography
- Walking / physiology
- Wound Healing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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.
- 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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