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J Appl Physiol (November 5, 2009). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00259.2009
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Submitted on March 10, 2009
Revised on October 13, 2009
Accepted on November 2, 2009

Tendinopathy Alters Mechanical and Material Properties of the Achilles Tendon

Shruti Arya1* and Kornelia Kulig2

1 University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
2 University of Southern California

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: sarya{at}email.unc.edu.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vivo material and mechanical properties of the human Achilles tendon in the presence of tendinopathy. Real time ultrasound imaging and dynamometry were used to assess Achilles tendon stiffness, Young's modulus, stress, strain and cross-sectional area (CSA) in 12 individuals with Achilles tendinopathy and 12 age and gender matched controls. Results of this study suggest that tendinopathy weakens the mechanical and material properties of the tendon. Tendinopathic tendons had greater CSA, lower tendon stiffness and lower Young's Modulus. These alterations in mechanical characteristics may put the Achilles tendon at a higher risk to sustain further injury and prolong the time to recovery. Results from this study may be used to design treatment strategies that specifically target these deficits, leading to faster and permanent recovery from tendinopathy.







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