Longitudinal In Vivo Ultrasound Observations of the Surgically Repaired Zone II Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

The link between the healing process and functional outcomes in the surgically repaired digital flexor tendon is poorly understood. This clinical note describes those gray-scale and power Doppler (PD) ultrasound parameters that can be used to document longitudinal change in the morphologic and dynamic properties of the surgically repaired zone II flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon. The method is supported by ultrasound data obtained from three participants at five points in time post-surgically (two, four, six, 12 and 18 weeks). Longitudinal documentation of the ultrasound properties of echogenicity, defect size, tendon excursion and power Doppler signal is feasible and has the potential to explore the possible link between changes in the structural status of surgically repaired flexor tendons and associated clinical outcomes.     

实时超声弹性成像技术评价2型糖尿病患者跟腱弹性

目的 探讨应用实时超声弹性成像(RTE)技术评价2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者跟腱的弹性异常改变及临床意义。方法 62例T2MD患者按病程<5年、5~10年、>10年分为A(n=21)、B(n=20)、C组(n=21)。同期选取23名健康志愿者为对照组。对各组均行跟腱RTE检查。将跟腱分为上、中、下段,应用弹性分级法分为1、2、3级;并以跟腱为A区,跟腱深部脂肪组织为B区,测算跟腱与其深部脂肪组织的弹性比值(B/A值)。结果 上、中、下段跟腱弹性分级为1级者B、C组均较对照组增加,2、3级者减少(P均<0.05)。上段跟腱弹性分级为1级者C组较A组增加,2、3级者减少(P均<0.05)。中段跟腱弹性分级为1级者C组较A、B组增加,2、3级者减少(P均<0.05)。下段跟腱弹性分级为1级者C组较A组增加,2、3级者减少(P均<0.05)。A、B、C组下段跟腱B/A值(2.73±0.58、3.50±1.44、4.37±1.27)均高于对照组(2.23±0.33),且T2MD各病程组间差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。结论 应用RTE技术可较为客观、准确地评价T2DM患者跟腱弹性异常改变。     

Imaging of adductor-related groin pain

Groin pain is a common condition in athletes and results from various causes. Osteitis pubis, adductor dysfunction, inguinal hernia, or a combination of all three entities, generally explains the onset of symptoms. Adductor longus tendinopathy is the main cause of adductor-related groin pain. It leads to a significant reduction of sports participation and can require surgical management. Diagnosis is based on ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Asymptomatic findings (tendinosis, calcifications, cortical erosions) are common in athletes and care should be taken when assessing groin pain. The most specific sign of tendinopathy is an intratendinous tear of the adductor longus.     

Effect of Calendula Officinalis Cream on Achilles Tendon Healing

In recent years, the scientific community has undertaken research on plant extracts, searching for compounds with pharmacological activities that can be used in diverse fields of medicine. Calendula officinalis L. is known to have antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound healing properties when used to treat skin burns. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of C. officinalis on the initial phase of Achilles tendon healing. Wistar rats were separated in three groups: Calendula (Cal)—rats with a transected tendon were treated with topical applications of C. officinalis cream and then euthanized 7 days after injury; Control (C)—rats were treated with only vehicle after transection; and Normal (N)—rats without tenotomy. Higher concentrations of hydroxyproline (an indicator of total collagen) and non‐collagenous proteins were observed in the Cal group in relation to the C group. Zymography showed no difference in the amount of the isoforms of metalloproteinase‐2 and of metalloproteinase‐9, between C and Cal groups. Polarization microscopy images analysis showed that the Cal group presented a slightly higher birefringence compared with the C group. In sections of tendons stained with toluidine blue, the transected groups presented higher metachromasy as compared with the N group. Immunocytochemistry analysis for chondroitin‐6‐sulfate showed no difference between the C and Cal groups. In conclusion, the topical application of C. officinalis after tendon transection increases the concentrations of collagen and non‐collagenous proteins, as well as the collagen organization in the initial phase of healing. Anat Rec, 298:428–435, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

掌指关节屈曲角度与伸肌腱长度变化研究

目的：测量掌指关节不同角度屈曲时伸肌腱滑动长度的变化,为被动屈曲掌指关节时避免伸指肌腱损伤提供依据。方法100名成人受试者,测量2～5指掌指关节屈曲30°、60°、90°时,伸肌腱的变化长度。结果2～5指在屈曲相同角度时,伸肌腱的长度变化存在差异性,长度变化值依次为中指＞食指＞环指＞小指。同一手指掌指关节在屈曲0°～30°、30°～60°、60°～90°时,伸肌腱的延长值变化也存在差异性,呈递减趋势。结论掌指关节屈曲时需要伸指肌腱相应延长,在被动屈曲掌指关节0°～30°时,要充分松解伸指肌腱粘连,避免造成医源性伸指肌腱损伤。     

Accessory muscles around the foot and ankle presenting as chronic undiagnosed pain. An illustrative case report and review of the literature

The differential diagnosis of ankle pain is extensive. Pathology may be classified as intra- or extra-articular. Additionally, ankle pain may be traumatic or non-traumatic. One of the unusual differential diagnoses for pain in the ankle is an accessory muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging is the radiological investigation of choice. However, this is invariably reported as normal unless one specifically looks for an accessory muscle. The purpose of this report is to highlight important features of these muscles and to draw attention to this uncommonly reported condition.     

Purified collagen I oriented membrane for tendon repair: An ex vivo morphological study

Injured tendons have limited repair ability after full‐thickness lesions. Tendon regeneration properties and adverse reactions were assessed ex vivo in an experimental animal model using a new collagen I membrane. The multilamellar membrane obtained from purified equine Achilles tendon is characterized by oriented collagen I fibers and has been shown to sustain cell growth and orientation in vitro. The central third of the patellar tendon (PT) of 10 New Zealand White rabbits was sectioned and grafted with the collagen membrane; the contralateral PT was cut longitudinally (sham‐operated controls). Animals were euthanized 1 or 6 months after surgery, and tendons were subjected to histological and Synchrotron Radiation‐based Computed Microtomography (SRµCT) examination and 3D structure analysis. Histological and SRµCT findings showed satisfactory graft integration with native tendon. Histological examination also showed ongoing angiogenesis. Adverse side‐effects (inflammation, rejection, calcification) were not observed. The multilamellar collagen I membrane can be considered as an effective tool for tendon defect repair and tendon augmentation. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 738–745, 2013     

Cross‐link stabilization does not affect the response of collagen molecules,fibrils, or tendons to tensile overload

We investigated whether immature allysine‐derived cross‐links provide mechanically labile linkages by exploring the effects of immature cross‐link stabilization at three levels of collagen hierarchy: damaged fibril morphology, whole tendon mechanics, and molecular stability. Tendons from the tails of young adult steers were either treated with sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) to stabilize labile cross‐links, exposed only to the buffer used during stabilization treatment, or maintained as untreated controls. One‐half of each tendon was then subjected to five cycles of subrupture overload. Morphologic changes to collagen fibrils resulting from overload were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, and changes in the hydrothermal stability of collagen molecules were assessed using hydrothermal isometric tension testing. NaBH₄ cross‐link stabilization did not affect the response of tendon collagen to tensile overload at any of the three levels of hierarchy studied. Cross‐link stabilization did not prevent the characteristic overload‐induced mode of fibril damage that we term discrete plasticity. Similarly, stabilization did not alter the mechanical response of whole tendons to overload, and did not prevent an overload‐induced thermal destabilization of collagen molecules. Our results indicate that hydrothermally labile cross‐links may not be as mechanically labile as was previously thought. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1907–1913, 2013