The mechanical strength of side-to-side tendon repair with mismatched tendon size and shape

Tendon transfers frequently require coaptation of two mismatched tendons. In this cadaver study, ultimate load, stiffness, and Young’s modulus were measured in tendon-to-tendon attachments with mismatched donor and recipient tendons, using pronator teres (PT) to extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB)...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hand surgery, European volume European volume, 2015-03, Vol.40 (3), p.239-245
Main Authors: Fridén, J., Tirrell, T. F., Bhola, S., Lieber, R. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Female
Humans
Kirurgi
Male
Surgery
Suture Techniques
Sutures
Tendon Injuries - surgery
Tendon Transfer - methods
Tensile Strength
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Tendon transfers frequently require coaptation of two mismatched tendons. In this cadaver study, ultimate load, stiffness, and Young’s modulus were measured in tendon-to-tendon attachments with mismatched donor and recipient tendons, using pronator teres (PT) to extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) to extensor digitorum communis (EDC). FCU-to-EDC attachments failed at higher loads than PT-to-ECRB attachments, but they had similar modulus and stiffness values. Ultimate tensile strength of the tendon attachments exceeded the maximum predicted contraction force of any of the transferred muscles, with safety factors of four-fold for the FCU-to-EDC and two-fold for the PT-to-ECRB transfers. This implies that size and shape mismatches should not be contraindications to tendon attachment in transfers. The strength safety factors suggest that postoperative immobilization of these transfers is unnecessary.
ISSN:1753-1934
2043-6289
2043-6289
DOI:10.1177/1753193413517327