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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.
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Publication Date: 1997-05-01 PubMed ID: 9354282DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb05046.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.
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