FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / Mechanical properties of pathological equine superficial dig...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement1997; (23); 23-26; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05046.x

Mechanical properties of pathological equine superficial digital flexor tendons.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to mechanically characterise superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) lesions. Eight pathological SDFTs, isolated from 6 adult horses, were tested in traction until rupture (at 1 mm/s). The stresses and strains simultaneously undergone by each of the 7 segments of a tendon were determined throughout the test, and the modulus of elasticity of each segment was evaluated from the segmental stress-strain curve thus obtained. These mechanical data were compared to those obtained on 10 normal SDFTs. After the test, the tendinous segments were submitted to a histological examination in order to characterise the tissues. Three lesional categories (I to III, of increasing maturity), as well as the normal tendinous tissue, were defined and assessed quantitatively according to their extent in the histological sections. The most recent and severe lesions (categories I and II) were correlated with a large degree of hypertrophy (often above 200%) of the corresponding segments, with a resulting decrease in the stress at tendon rupture, and a slight decrease in the strain at tendon rupture in spite of a low modulus of elasticity (low stiffness). In contrast, the adjacent areas, less or not injured, underwent compensatory strains. This relative overstraining was especially critical with category III tissue, often present in the transitional areas between sound and severely injured segments. Here the modulus of elasticity was low whereas the hypertrophy was only slight. Therefore, the corresponding segments seemed to be the most fragile sites, and those most predisposed to recurring injury, in an injured SDFT.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1997-05-01 PubMed ID: 9354282DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05046.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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 article investigates the mechanical characteristics of superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) in horses and how their properties change due to lesions. The study compares these injured tendons to normal ones and further investigates the influence of different types of lesions on the mechanical stress and strains of the tendon.

Methodology

  • The researchers obtained eight pathological equine SDFTs from a total of six adult horses.
  • The tendons were subjected to a traction test until they ruptured at a speed of one millimetre per second. Throughout the test, the team observed and recorded the stresses and strains that the different segments of the tendon experienced.
  • Through the segmental stress-strain curve, the team evaluated the modulus of elasticity for each segment of the tendon. They then compared these results to data from ten healthy equine SDFTs.

Histological Examination

  • Post-test, the tendon segments underwent a histological examination to identify the tissue characteristics.
  • The examination results helped classify the lesions into three categories based on their maturity – categories I to III, with III being the most mature.
  • The team then defined and quantified normal tendinous tissue and compared it to the measured extent within the histological sections.

Findings

  • Severe and recent lesions (categories I and II) were found to be correlated to excessive growth or hypertrophy of the tendon segments, often exceeding 200%.
  • Such hypertrophy resulted in a decrease in stress at the point of tendon rupture along with a minor decrease in strain, despite a low modulus of elasticity (low stiffness).
  • In contrast, the segments that were less injured or not injured at all displayed compensatory strains, implying these segments overstrained to tackle the impaired functionality of injured segments.
  • This behavior was particularly noticeable where category III tissue was present – usually at the transitional points between healthy and severely injured segments. Despite very little hypertrophy, the modulus of elasticity was low, indicating these segments were the weakest areas and more likely to incur repeated injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Crevier-Denoix N, Collobert C, Pourcelot P, Denoix JM, Sanaa M, Geiger D, Bernard N, Ribot X, Bortolussi C, Bousseau B. (1997). Mechanical properties of pathological equine superficial digital flexor tendons. Equine Vet J Suppl(23), 23-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05046.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 23
Pages: 23-26

Researcher Affiliations

Crevier-Denoix, N
  • Equipe Associée INRA - Biomécanique du Cheval. Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Collobert, C
    Pourcelot, P
      Denoix, J M
        Sanaa, M
          Geiger, D
            Bernard, N
              Ribot, X
                Bortolussi, C
                  Bousseau, B

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Analysis of Variance
                    • Animals
                    • Biomechanical Phenomena
                    • Female
                    • Horse Diseases / pathology
                    • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
                    • Horses
                    • Hypertrophy / pathology
                    • Hypertrophy / physiopathology
                    • Hypertrophy / veterinary
                    • Locomotion / physiology
                    • Male
                    • Prognosis
                    • Recurrence
                    • Rupture / pathology
                    • Rupture / physiopathology
                    • Rupture / veterinary
                    • Tendon Injuries / pathology
                    • Tendon Injuries / physiopathology
                    • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
                    • Tendons / pathology
                    • Tendons / physiopathology
                    • Weight-Bearing / physiology

                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 25 times.
                    1. Melotti L, Carolo A, Elshazly N, Boesso F, Da Dalt L, Gabai G, Perazzi A, Iacopetti I, Patruno M. Case Report: Repeated Intralesional Injections of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Platelet-Rich Plasma for Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Healing in a Show Jumping Horse. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:843131.
                      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.843131pubmed: 35252428google scholar: lookup
                    2. Wagner FC, Reese S, Gerlach K, Böttcher P, Mülling CKW. Cyclic tensile tests of Shetland pony superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) with an optimized cryo-clamp combined with biplanar high-speed fluoroscopy. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jun 25;17(1):223.
                      doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02914-wpubmed: 34172051google scholar: lookup
                    3. 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).
                      doi: 10.3390/vetsci8060092pubmed: 34072030google scholar: lookup
                    4. Montano C, Auletta L, Greco A, Costanza D, Coluccia P, Del Prete C, Meomartino L, Pasolini MP. The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Tenodesmic Lesions in Horses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Experimental Data. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 12;11(3).
                      doi: 10.3390/ani11030793pubmed: 33809227google scholar: lookup
                    5. Crawford KL, Ahern BJ, Perkins NR, Phillips CJC, Finnane A. The Effect of Combined Training and Racing High-Speed Exercise History on Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 11;10(11).
                      doi: 10.3390/ani10112091pubmed: 33187122google scholar: lookup
                    6. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence and Type of Musculoskeletal Injuries Vary between Two-Year-Old and Older Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 5;10(11).
                      doi: 10.3390/ani10112046pubmed: 33167429google scholar: lookup
                    7. Liao X, Falcon ND, Mohammed AA, Paterson YZ, Mayes AG, Guest DJ, Saeed A. Synthesis and Formulation of Four-Arm PolyDMAEA-siRNA Polyplex for Transient Downregulation of Collagen Type III Gene Expression in TGF-β1 Stimulated Tenocyte Culture. ACS Omega 2020 Jan 28;5(3):1496-1505.
                      doi: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03216pubmed: 32010823google scholar: lookup
                    8. Barboni B, Russo V, Berardinelli P, Mauro A, Valbonetti L, Sanyal H, Canciello A, Greco L, Muttini A, Gatta V, Stuppia L, Mattioli M. Placental Stem Cells from Domestic Animals: Translational Potential and Clinical Relevance. Cell Transplant 2018 Jan;27(1):93-116.
                      doi: 10.1177/0963689717724797pubmed: 29562773google scholar: lookup
                    9. Biasutti S, Dart A, Smith M, Blaker C, Clarke E, Jeffcott L, Little C. Spatiotemporal variations in gene expression, histology and biomechanics in an ovine model of tendinopathy. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0185282.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185282pubmed: 29023489google scholar: lookup
                    10. Geburek F, Roggel F, van Schie HTM, Beineke A, Estrada R, Weber K, Hellige M, Rohn K, Jagodzinski M, Welke B, Hurschler C, Conrad S, Skutella T, van de Lest C, van Weeren R, Stadler PM. Effect of single intralesional treatment of surgically induced equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: a controlled experimental trial. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017 Jun 5;8(1):129.
                      doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0564-8pubmed: 28583184google scholar: lookup
                    11. Geburek F, Gaus M, van Schie HT, Rohn K, Stadler PM. Effect of intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in equine naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathies - a randomized prospective controlled clinical trial. BMC Vet Res 2016 Sep 7;12(1):191.
                      doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0826-1pubmed: 27604193google scholar: lookup
                    12. Dudhia J, Becerra P, Valdés MA, Neves F, Hartman NG, Smith RK. In Vivo Imaging and Tracking of Technetium-99m Labeled Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Equine Tendinopathy. J Vis Exp 2015 Dec 9;(106):e52748.
                      doi: 10.3791/52748pubmed: 26709915google scholar: lookup
                    13. Jacobson E, Dart AJ, Mondori T, Horadogoda N, Jeffcott LB, Little CB, Smith MM. Focal experimental injury leads to widespread gene expression and histologic changes in equine flexor tendons. PLoS One 2015;10(4):e0122220.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122220pubmed: 25837713google scholar: lookup
                    14. Dakin SG, Dudhia J, Smith RK. Resolving an inflammatory concept: the importance of inflammation and resolution in tendinopathy. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2014 Apr 15;158(3-4):121-7.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.01.007pubmed: 24556326google scholar: lookup
                    15. Dakin SG, Smith RK, Heinegård D, Önnerfjord P, Khabut A, Dudhia J. Proteomic analysis of tendon extracellular matrix reveals disease stage-specific fragmentation and differential cleavage of COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein). J Biol Chem 2014 Feb 21;289(8):4919-27.
                      doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.511972pubmed: 24398684google scholar: lookup
                    16. Smith RK, Werling NJ, Dakin SG, Alam R, Goodship AE, Dudhia J. Beneficial effects of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in naturally occurring tendinopathy. PLoS One 2013;8(9):e75697.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075697pubmed: 24086616google scholar: lookup
                    17. Kang JG, Park SB, Seo MS, Kim HS, Chae JS, Kang KS. Characterization and clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells from equine umbilical cord blood. J Vet Sci 2013;14(3):367-71.
                      doi: 10.4142/jvs.2013.14.3.367pubmed: 23820166google scholar: lookup
                    18. LaCroix AS, Duenwald-Kuehl SE, Lakes RS, Vanderby R Jr. Relationship between tendon stiffness and failure: a metaanalysis. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2013 Jul 1;115(1):43-51.
                      doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01449.2012pubmed: 23599401google scholar: lookup
                    19. Dakin SG, Dudhia J, Werling NJ, Werling D, Abayasekara DR, Smith RK. Inflamm-aging and arachadonic acid metabolite differences with stage of tendon disease. PLoS One 2012;7(11):e48978.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048978pubmed: 23155437google scholar: lookup
                    20. Dakin SG, Werling D, Hibbert A, Abayasekara DR, Young NJ, Smith RK, Dudhia J. Macrophage sub-populations and the lipoxin A4 receptor implicate active inflammation during equine tendon repair. PLoS One 2012;7(2):e32333.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032333pubmed: 22384219google scholar: lookup
                    21. Iwasaki N, Llewellyn J, Brown J, Zamboulis DE, Finding EJT, Wheeler-Jones CPD, Thorpe CT. Immunolabelling and Micro-Computed Tomography Revealed Age-Related Alterations in 3D Microvasculature of Tendons. Aging Cell 2026 Jan;25(1):e70293.
                      doi: 10.1111/acel.70293pubmed: 41250917google scholar: lookup
                    22. Derksen A, Balli Z, Windhagen H, Nebel D, Reifenrath J. A novel augmentation technique for the repair of full thickness gluteal tendon tears: a biomechanical analysis in an ovine model. J Orthop Traumatol 2025 May 24;26(1):33.
                      doi: 10.1186/s10195-025-00850-1pubmed: 40413375google scholar: lookup
                    23. Eren G, López-Albors O, Guilabert Segura R, Jordan Montesinos J, Latorre R. Accessory Ligament of the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon of the Horse Forelimb and Its Relationship with the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon: A Plastination, Histological, and Morphometry Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Oct 14;14(20).
                      doi: 10.3390/ani14202952pubmed: 39457884google scholar: lookup
                    24. Hanousek K, Fiske-Jackson A, O'Leary L, Smith RKW. Injury to the palmar supporting structures of the fetlock alters limb stiffness and fetlock angle. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):636-644.
                      doi: 10.1111/evj.14409pubmed: 39219092google scholar: lookup
                    25. Shojaee A. Equine tendon mechanical behaviour: Prospects for repair and regeneration applications. Vet Med Sci 2023 Sep;9(5):2053-2069.
                      doi: 10.1002/vms3.1205pubmed: 37471573google scholar: lookup
                    Subscribe to our newsletter
                    Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.