• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.1013-1021
• /
• 2001

A series of rabbit common extensor tendon specimens of the humeral epicondyle were subjected to tensile tests under two displacement rates (100mm/min and 10mm/min) and different elbow flexion positions 45°, 90°and 135°. Biomechanical properties of ultimate tensile strength, failure strain, energy absorption and stiffness of the bone-tendon specimen were determined. Statistically significant differences were found in ultimate tensile strength, failure strain, energy absorption and stiffness of bone-tendon specimens as a consequence of different elbow flexion angles and displacement rates. The results indicated that the bone-tendon specimens at the 45°elbow flexion had the lowest ultimate tensile strength; this flexion angle also had the highest failure strain and the lowest stiffness compared to other elbow flexion positions. In comparing the data from two displacement rates, bone-tendon specimens had lower ultimate tensile strength at all flexion angles when tested at the 10mm/min displacement rate. These results indicate that creep damage occurred during the slow displacement rate. The major failure mode of bone-tendon specimens during tensile testing changed from 100% of midsubstance failure at the 90°and 135°elbow flexion to 40% of bone-tendon origin failure at 45°. We conclude that failure mechanics of the bone-tendon unit of the lateral epicondyle are substantially affected by loading direction and displacement rate.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.393-401
• /
• 1998

Based on clinical observations, it is suspected that the bone-tendon origin is the site where piratical failure, leading to pathophysiological changes in the humeral epicondyle after repetitive loading, is initiated Mechanical properties and failure patterns of the common extensor and flexor tendons of the humeral epicondyle under static and repetitive loading have not been well documented. Our goal was to determine mechanical properties of failure strength and strain changes, to correlate strain changes and the number of cyclic repetitions, and to identify the failure pattern of bone-tendon specimens of common extensor and flexor tendons of the humeral epicondyle. Mechnaical properties of human cadaver bone-tendon specimens of the common extensor and flexor tendons of the humeral epicondyle were tested under two different loading rates. No statistically significant difference in ultimate tensile strength was found between male and female specimens or between slow (10 mm/sec) and fast elongation (100 mm/sec) rates. However, a statistically significant difference in ultimate tensile strength between the common extensor (1190.0 N/$cm^2{\pm}$388.8) and flexor 1922.0 N/$cm^2{\pm}$764.4)tendons was found (p<0.05). When loads of 25%, 33%, and 41% of the ultimate tensile strength of their contralateral sides were applied, the number of cycles required to reach 24% strain change for the common extersor and flexor tendons were approximately 8,893, 1,907, and 410, respectively. The relationship between cycles and loads was correlated ($R^2$=0.46) Histological observation showed that complete or partial failure after tensile or cyclic loadings occurred at the transitional zone, which is the uncalcified fibrocartilage zone between tendon and bone of the humeral epicondyle. Sequential histological sections revealed that failure initiated at the upper, medial aspect of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon origin. Biomechanical and hstological data obtained in this study indicated that the uncalcified fibrocartilage zone at the bone-tendon origin of the common extensor and flexor tendons is the weak anatomical structure of the humeral epicondyle.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.14-25
• /
• 2021

Several factors need to be considered for a successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, such as preoperative planning, operation technique, and postoperative rehabilitation. Graft choice, fixation, preparation method, maturation, incorporation to host bone, and graft tension should also be considered to achieve a good outcome after an ACL reconstruction. Factors to consider when selecting a graft are the graft strength, graft fixation, fixation site healing, and donor site morbidity, as well as the effects of initial strength, size, surface area, and origin of the graft on its potential for weakening during healing. There are two types of graft for an ACL reconstruction, autograft or allograft. Several autografts have been introduced, including the bone-patellar tendon-bone, hamstring tendon, and quadriceps tendon-bone. On the other hand, each has its advantages and disadvantages. The recent increased use of allografts for an ACL reconstruction is the lack of donor site morbidity, decreased surgical time, diminished postoperative pain, and good availability of source. Despite this, there are no reports suggesting that an allograft may have a better long-term outcome than an autograft. Allografts have inherent disadvantages, including a longer and less complete course of incorporation, remodeling, biomechanically inferiority to autograft, the potential risk of an immunogenic reaction and disease transmission. Higher long-term failure rates and poorer graft maturation scores were reported for allografts compared to autografts. An autograft in an ACL reconstruction should remain the gold standard, although the allograft is a reasonable alternative. If adequate length and diameter of autograft can be obtained for an ACL reconstruction, an autograft with adequate graft fixation and postoperative rehabilitation should be chosen instead of an allograft to achieve better results.