Changes in patellar tendon stiffness and mechanical strength test using collagenase injection: Verification ex vivo experiment using porcine model

IF 1.4 3区医学 Q4 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Clinical Biomechanics Pub Date : 2025-07-24 DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106632

Wataru Kurashina , Tsuneari Takahashi , Hideyuki Sasanuma , Katsushi Takeshita

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Patellar tendinopathy is accompanied by chronic pain that can cause athletes to abandon their careers. Although effective treatment methods are essential, research on patellar tendinopathy treatment is insufficient. We aimed to investigate changes in the stiffness and mechanical strength of porcine patellar tendons (PT) that were artificially altered by a collagenase injection. We hypothesized that collagenase injection would lead to reflecting tendinopathy-like degeneration.

Methods

Twenty-seven porcine PTs were used. To mimic tendinopathy-induced changes in the mechanical properties of tendons, PTs were injected with collagenase via collagen digestion using a chemical solution. The PTs were sequentially assigned to two groups: a phosphate-buffered saline control group (n = 13) and a collagenase group (n = 14) as an experimental group. Each injection was administered into the central PT. After incubation at 37 °C for 7 h, PT stiffness measurements were performed using a handheld device, and mechanical strength testing was performed. The failure modes and structural properties (upper yield load, maximum load, linear stiffness, elongation at failure, and length change) were determined.

Findings

PT stiffness was higher in the experimental group than the control group (880.5 ± 95 vs. 735.4 ± 110 N/m; P = 0.008). Significant differences in failure modes were observed between the two groups. Half of the experimental group were torn at the mid-substance of the PT, whereas most of the control group were not (P = 0.033). The structural properties were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Interpretation

Collagenase injection changes the stiffness and fragility of porcine PT.

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胶原酶注射对髌骨肌腱刚度和机械强度变化的影响：猪模型验证离体实验

髌骨肌腱病伴有慢性疼痛，可能导致运动员放弃他们的职业生涯。虽然有效的治疗方法是必不可少的，但对髌骨肌腱病治疗的研究还不够。我们的目的是研究通过胶原酶注射人工改变猪髌骨肌腱（PT）的刚度和机械强度的变化。我们假设胶原酶注射会导致反射肌腱病变样变性。方法选取27例猪PTs。为了模拟肌腱病变引起的肌腱力学特性的变化，通过化学溶液消化胶原蛋白，给PTs注射胶原酶。将患者依次分为两组：磷酸盐缓冲盐水对照组（n = 13）和胶原酶组（n = 14）作为实验组。在37℃孵育7小时后，使用手持设备测量PT刚度，并进行机械强度测试。确定了破坏模式和结构特性（上屈服载荷、最大载荷、线性刚度、破坏伸长率和长度变化）。结果：实验组spt刚度高于对照组(880.5±95 vs 735.4±110 N/m；p = 0.008)。两组在失效模式上有显著差异。实验组中有一半出现PT中间物质撕裂，而对照组中大部分没有（P = 0.033）。两组间的结构特性无显著差异(P >；0.05)。胶原酶注射可改变猪PT的硬度和脆性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Biomechanics 医学-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

189

审稿时长

12.3 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Biomechanics is an international multidisciplinary journal of biomechanics with a focus on medical and clinical applications of new knowledge in the field. The science of biomechanics helps explain the causes of cell, tissue, organ and body system disorders, and supports clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of treatment methods and technologies. Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the links between laboratory and clinic by publishing cutting-edge biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of injury and disease, and which provides evidence contributing to improved clinical management. A rigorous peer review system is employed and every attempt is made to process and publish top-quality papers promptly. Clinical Biomechanics explores all facets of body system, organ, tissue and cell biomechanics, with an emphasis on medical and clinical applications of the basic science aspects. The role of basic science is therefore recognized in a medical or clinical context. The readership of the journal closely reflects its multi-disciplinary contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians. The contents are in the form of research papers, brief reports, review papers and correspondence, whilst special interest issues and supplements are published from time to time. Disciplines covered include biomechanics and mechanobiology at all scales, bioengineering and use of tissue engineering and biomaterials for clinical applications, biophysics, as well as biomechanical aspects of medical robotics, ergonomics, physical and occupational therapeutics and rehabilitation.