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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Biomater / Helical sub-structures in energy-storing tendons provide a p...
Acta biomaterialia2013; 9(8); 7948-7956; doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.05.004

Helical sub-structures in energy-storing tendons provide a possible mechanism for efficient energy storage and return.

Abstract: The predominant function of tendons is to position the limb during locomotion. Specific tendons also act as energy stores. Energy-storing (ES) tendons are prone to injury, the incidence of which increases with age. This is likely related to their function; ES tendons are exposed to higher strains and require a greater ability to recoil than positional tendons. The specialized properties of ES tendons are thought to be achieved through structural and compositional differences. However, little is known about structure-function relationships in tendons. This study uses fascicles from the equine superficial digital flexor (SDFT) and common digital extensor (CDET) as examples of ES and positional tendons. We hypothesized that extension and recoil behaviour at the micro-level would differ between tendon types, and would alter with age in the injury-prone SDFT. Supporting this, the results show that extension in the CDET is dominated by fibre sliding. By contrast, greater rotation was observed in the SDFT, suggesting a helical component to fascicles in this tendon. This was accompanied by greater recovery and less hysteresis loss in SDFT samples. In samples from aged SDFTs, the amount of rotation and the ability to recover decreased, while hysteresis loss increased. These findings indicate that fascicles in the ES SDFT may have a helical structure, enabling the more efficient recoil observed. Further, the helix structure appears to alter with ageing; this coincides with a reduction in the ability of SDFT fascicles to recoil. This may affect tendon fatigue resistance and predispose aged tendons to injury.
Copyright © 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-05-10 PubMed ID: 23669621DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.05.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores how helical structures in certain types of tendons may contribute to efficient energy storage and recoil. The study uses equine tendons to suggest that these helical structures might deteriorate with age, potentially leading to tendon injury.

Background and Purpose

  • Tendons play a crucial role in locomotion and certain tendons have the specific task of storing energy. These energy-storing (ES) tendons are more prone to injury, with the risk increasing as the tendon ages.
  • ES tendons are generally exposed to higher strains and have a higher requirement for recoil than positional tendons. This specialized feature is thought to be due to differences in structure and composition.
  • The researchers used two types of equine tendons, the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) and the Common Digital Extensor Tendon (CDET), as examples of ES and positional tendons in their study.
  • The researchers hypothesized that there could be a difference in extension and recoil behavior between the two types of tendons, with these changes particularly noticeable in the injury-prone SDFT as it ages.

Methodology

  • The research examines the behavior of fascicles, small bundles of fibers, from both the SDFT and the CDET.
  • They monitored the extension in the CDET which primarily showed fiber sliding. Conversely, rotation was more evident in the SDFT, signaling a possible helical component to its fascicles.

Key Findings

  • SDFT exhibited a higher recovery rate and less hysteresis loss, which suggests better energy efficiency, compared to the CDET.
  • As the SDFT samples aged, the amount of rotation and its ability to recover diminished, while hysteresis loss increased.
  • The research suggests that the ES SDFT may have a helical structural component that contributes to its efficient recoil.
  • The helix-like structure seems to deteriorate with age, which could correlate with a decline in the SDFT’s ability to recoil. This could have a potential impact on tendon fatigue resistance and may increase the risk of injury in aged tendons.

Implications

  • The research could have numerous implications for the understanding of tendon functionality and the study of age-related tendon injuries.
  • The discovery of the helix-like structure within the ES SDFT helps shed light on the structural differences that enable the tendons to store and efficiently release energy.
  • This research could potentially inform therapeutic and preventive approaches for ES tendon injuries, especially in ageing populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Thorpe CT, Klemt C, Riley GP, Birch HL, Clegg PD, Screen HR. (2013). Helical sub-structures in energy-storing tendons provide a possible mechanism for efficient energy storage and return. Acta Biomater, 9(8), 7948-7956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2013.05.004

Publication

Acta biomaterialia
ISSN: 1878-7568
NlmUniqueID: 101233144
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Pages: 7948-7956
PII: S1742-7061(13)00236-5

Researcher Affiliations

Thorpe, Chavaunne T
  • Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK. c.thorpe@qmul.ac.uk
Klemt, Christian
    Riley, Graham P
      Birch, Helen L
        Clegg, Peter D
          Screen, Hazel R C

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Computer Simulation
            • Elastic Modulus / physiology
            • Energy Transfer / physiology
            • Horses
            • In Vitro Techniques
            • Models, Anatomic
            • Models, Biological
            • Structure-Activity Relationship
            • Tendons / cytology
            • Tendons / physiology
            • Tensile Strength / physiology

            Grant Funding

            • MR/K006312/1 / Medical Research Council

            Citations

            This article has been cited 45 times.
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