Reproducibility of a non-invasive ultrasonic technique of tendon force measurement, determined in vitro in equine superficial digital flexor tendons.
Abstract: A non-invasive ultrasonic (US) technique of tendon force measurement has been recently developed. It is based on the relationship demonstrated between the speed of sound (SOS) in a tendon and the traction force applied to it. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the variability of this non-linear relationship among 7 equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons, and the reproducibility of SOS measurements in these tendons over successive loading cycles and tests. Seven SDF tendons were equipped with an US probe (1MHz), secured in contact with the skin overlying the tendon metacarpal part. The tendons were submitted to a traction test consisting in 5 cycles of loading/unloading between 50 and 4050N. Four tendons out of the 7 were submitted to 5 additional cycles up to 5550N. The SOS-tendon force relationships appeared similar in shape, although large differences in SOS levels were observed among the tendons. Reproducibility between cycles was evaluated from the root mean square of the standard deviations (RMS-SD) of SOS values observed every 100N, and of force values every 2m/s. Reproducibility of SOS measurements revealed high between successive cycles: above 500N the RMS-SD was less than 2% of the corresponding traction force. Reproducibility between tests was lower, partly due to the experimental set-up; above 500N the difference between the two tests stayed nevertheless below 15% of the corresponding mean traction force. The reproducibility of the US technique here demonstrated in vitro has now to be confirmed in vivo.
Publication Date: 2009-07-31 PubMed ID: 19647261DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.06.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Animal Studies
- Biomechanics
- Biotechnology
- Clinical Study
- Diagnostic Technique
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Experimental Methods
- Horses
- In Vitro Research
- Musculoskeletal System
- Noninvasive Procedures
- Physiology
- Reproducibility of Results
- Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- Tendons
- Ultrasound
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research examines the reproducibility of a new non-invasive ultrasound technique to measure tendon force in equine superficial digital flexor tendons. Several factors are studied such as the variability of the ultrasound-method’s output across different tendons, and its consistent performance over repeated tests.
Research Methodology
- Seven equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons were subjected for the ultrasound test. An ultrasound probe of 1MHz was used to take measurements.
- The test consisted of five sets of loading and unloading cycles with a force range from 50N to 4050N. Four tendons out of the seven underwent extra five cycles at a higher force up to 5550N.
- The results of the Speed of Sound (SOS) and tendon force relationship were recorded. Their graphical representation showed their similarity in shape, but exhibited substantial differences in SOS levels across the tendons.
Reproducibility Evaluation
- To assess the reproducibility, researchers focused on root mean square of the standard deviations (RMS-SD) of SOS values observed every 100N force, and of force values every 2m/s speed.
- The results indicated high reproducibility between successive cycles – at forces above 500N the RMS-SD was less than 2% of the corresponding traction force.
- While the reproducibility between independent tests was lower, attributed mostly to variability in the experimental setup, the difference between two tests remained under 15% of the mean traction force.
Conclusions
- The research team concluded that the non-invasive ultrasound technique is reproducible for in vitro applications – these findings, however, need to be confirmed for in vivo usage.
- Although differences were noted in SOS levels among different tendons, the method appeared consistent over repeated tests and maintained a stable output for the same tendon.
Cite This Article
APA
Crevier-Denoix N, Ravary-Plumioën B, Evrard D, Pourcelot P.
(2009).
Reproducibility of a non-invasive ultrasonic technique of tendon force measurement, determined in vitro in equine superficial digital flexor tendons.
J Biomech, 42(13), 2210-2213.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.06.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- INRA, ENVA, UMR 957 Biomécanique et Pathologie locomotrice du Cheval Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94704, Maisons-Alfort, France. ncrevier@vet-alfort.fr
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Elastic Modulus / physiology
- Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods
- Horses
- Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Tendons / physiology
- Tensile Strength / physiology
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Wearing SC, Kuhn L, Pohl T, Horstmann T, Brauner T. Transmission-Mode Ultrasound for Monitoring the Instantaneous Elastic Modulus of the Achilles Tendon During Unilateral Submaximal Vertical Hopping. Front Physiol 2020;11:567641.
- Hullfish TJ, Baxter JR. A Reliable Method for Quantification of Tendon Structure Using B-Mode Ultrasound. J Ultrasound Med 2018 Oct;37(10):2419-2424.
- Wulf M, Shanker M, Schuetz M, Lutz M, Langton CM, Hooper SL, Smeathers JE, Brauner T, Wearing SC. Lower material stiffness in rupture-repaired Achilles tendon during walking: transmission-mode ultrasound for post-surgical tendon evaluation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2018 Jul;26(7):2030-2037.
- Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Aida H, Hiraga A. In vivo measurements of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament forces during trotting using the thoroughbred forelimb model. J Equine Sci 2014;25(1):15-22.
- Duenwald-Kuehl S, Kobayashi H, Lakes R, Vanderby R Jr. Time-dependent ultrasound echo changes occur in tendon during viscoelastic testing. J Biomech Eng 2012 Nov;134(11):111006.
- Duenwald-Kuehl S, Lakes R, Vanderby R Jr. Strain-induced damage reduces echo intensity changes in tendon during loading. J Biomech 2012 Jun 1;45(9):1607-11.
- Buck AR, Verstraete N, Li Y, Schweizer A, Snedeker JG, Buck FM. Detection of small tendon lesions by sonoelastographic visualization of strain profile differences: initial experiences. Skeletal Radiol 2012 Sep;41(9):1073-9.
- Pai DK. Muscle mass in musculoskeletal models. J Biomech 2010 Aug 10;43(11):2093-8.
- 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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