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Home / Equine Research Bank / Med Biol Eng / Mechanical behaviour of tendon in vitro. A preliminary repor...
Medical & biological engineering1967; 5(5); 433-443; doi: 10.1007/BF02479137

Mechanical behaviour of tendon in vitro. A preliminary report.

Abstract: The mechanical behaviour of horse and human tendon, as characterised by the stress-strain curve, has been examined with respect to load-strain cycling and strain rate. It was found that the tendon stress-strain curve for successive cycles was reporducible provided that strain on the specimen did not exceed 2·0–4·0%. If this strain level was exceeded, a permanent deformation occurred. This phenomenon was verified by histological studies on strained tendon which showed that some of the collagen fibres did not return to their original orientation. Variation in the rate of strain was found to affect both the magnitude and the shape of the stress-strain curve. Additionally, it was found that the stress relaxation phenomenon for tendon was essentially the same as that found for other connective tissues.
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Publication Date: 1967-09-01 PubMed ID: 6069823DOI: 10.1007/BF02479137Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The study investigates the mechanical behavior of horse and human tendons, focusing on load-strain cycling, strain rate, and the impact of exceeding certain strain levels.

Understanding Tendon Mechanics

  • The aim of the study was to understand the mechanical behavior of tendons, specifically from horses and humans. As integral parts of our muscular-skeletal system, tendons play a crucial role in movement and load-bearing. Their mechanical response under different loads and strains is crucial to understanding their function and resilience.
  • To this end, the researchers conducted in vitro tests to observe the stress-strain curve of the tendon, a key characteristic indicating its behavior under various loads and strain rates.

Effects of Load-Strain Cycling and Strain Rate

  • The research found that the stress-strain curve remained consistent across successive load-strain cycles, as long as the strain on the tendon didn’t exceed a certain threshold (2.0–4.0%). Above this threshold, permanent deformation of the tendon was observed. This demonstrates the ability of tendons to withstand repetitive loads without undergoing changes, as long as the strain stays within the tolerable range.
  • The study also explored how the rate of strain affected the stress-strain curve. Changes in the strain rate impacted both the magnitude (how much stress the tendon can take) and the shape (how the stress and strain relate to each other) of the stress-strain curve.

Histological Verifications and Stress Relaxation Phenomenon

  • The findings of permanent deformation upon exceeding the strain threshold was backed up by histological studies. These studies – looking at the microscopic anatomy of the tissues – revealed that some collagen fibers, the primary structural proteins in tendons, didn’t return to their original orientation after being strained beyond their limits.
  • Finally, the researchers found that the phenomenon of stress relaxation in tendons aligns with that found in other connective tissues. Stress relaxation refers to the decrease in stress observed in materials when strain or deformation is held constant over time.

In summary, the research provided deeper insights into tendon mechanics, including the response to different strain rates and loads, and the quantification of their deformability. This knowledge can inform the design of better treatments for tendon injuries and the development of synthetic materials that mimic the mechanical properties of tendons.

Cite This Article

APA
Abrahams M. (1967). Mechanical behaviour of tendon in vitro. A preliminary report. Med Biol Eng, 5(5), 433-443. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02479137

Publication

Medical & biological engineering
ISSN: 0025-696X
NlmUniqueID: 0043417
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 5
Pages: 433-443

Researcher Affiliations

Abrahams, M

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Biomechanical Phenomena
    • Connective Tissue / physiology
    • Elasticity
    • Horses
    • Humans
    • In Vitro Techniques
    • Tendons / anatomy & histology
    • Tendons / physiology

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