With the aim of studying mechanisms of the remodeling of tendons and ligaments, the effects of stress shielding on the rabbit patellar tendon were studied by performing tensile and stress relaxation tests in the transverse direction. The tangent modulus, tensile strength, and strain at failure of non-treated, control patellar tendons in the transverse direction were 1272 kPa, 370 kPa, and 40.5 percent, respectively, whereas those of the tendons stress-shielded for 1 week were 299 kPa, 108 kPa, and 40.4 percent, respectively. Stress shielding markedly decreased tangent modulus and tensile strength in the transverse direction, and the decreases were larger than those in the longitudinal direction, which were determined in our previous study. For example, tensile strength in the transverse and longitudinal direction decreased to 29 and 50 percent of each control value, respectively, after 1 week stress shielding. In addition, the stress relaxation in the transverse direction of stress-shielded patellar tendons was much larger than that of non-treated, control ones. In contrast to longitudinal tensile tests for the behavior of collagen, transverse tests reflect the contributions of ground substances such as proteoglycans and mechanical interactions between collagen fibers. Ground substances provide lubrication and spacing between fibers, and also confer viscoelastic properties. Therefore, the results obtained from the present study suggest that ground substance matrix, and interfiber and fiber–matrix interactions have important roles in the remodeling response of tendons to stress. [S0148-0731(00)00806-2]
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December 2000
Technical Papers
Effects of Stress Shielding on the Transverse Mechanical Properties of Rabbit Patellar Tendons
Ei Yamamoto,
Ei Yamamoto
Laboratory on Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kinki University, Naga, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan
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Kozaburo Hayashi,
Kozaburo Hayashi
Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Mechanical Science, Department of Systems and Human Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
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Noritaka Yamamoto
Noritaka Yamamoto
Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
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Ei Yamamoto
Laboratory on Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kinki University, Naga, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan
Kozaburo Hayashi
Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Mechanical Science, Department of Systems and Human Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
Noritaka Yamamoto
Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
Contributed by the Bioengineering Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING. Manuscript received by the Bioengineering Division May 25, 1999; revised manuscript received June 29, 2000. Associate Technical Editor: R. C. Haut.
J Biomech Eng. Dec 2000, 122(6): 608-614 (7 pages)
Published Online: June 29, 2000
Article history
Received:
May 25, 1999
Revised:
June 29, 2000
Citation
Yamamoto, E., Hayashi, K., and Yamamoto, N. (June 29, 2000). "Effects of Stress Shielding on the Transverse Mechanical Properties of Rabbit Patellar Tendons ." ASME. J Biomech Eng. December 2000; 122(6): 608–614. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1319660
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