Tendons Flashcards
Tissue composition of tendons and ligaments
Dense connective tissue
Toe region relevant to tendons/ligaments
Means that they can be flexible first to allow movement but then stable
Tendon function
- Store, absorb and release energy (save energy), Achilles and patella
- Power amplification (stretch to store then release)
- Protect the muscle from damage but acting as a shock absorber
- Transmit force from muscle to bone
Energy storage tendons
Energy storage tendons have increased elasticity and fatigue resistance (most fail at 8%, Achilles strains at >12). Achilles is the best at this
Energy buffering/amplifying
Buffer - Tendon lengths before muscle to precent eccentric damage (walking down hill or landing from jump)
Amplifying - Achilles slowly stores then quickly releases for more power
Achilles’ tendon fascicle alignment
Fascicles spiral 90 degrees during decent
- LG and soleus insert onto calcaneus with strong torsion
- MG fairly parallel
Important for strain distribution
Tendon stiffness calculation
Stiffness (k) can be calculated from tendon strain and ankle joint torque (strain gauge)
ITB
Important in energy storage, particularly during running (7J). Common overuse injury for running.
What is the electro-mechanical delay
A tendon that has increased compliance will require more muscle contraction before force can be generate around a joint. The tendon is taking the slack before force on bone.
This means there is a delay between muscle activation and production of force which is referred to as the electro-mechanical delay. ⬆️ compliance = greater electro-mechanical delay, less force transmitted for given change in length
Aponeurosis
Broad sheet of dense regular connective tissue, attaches muscle to bone or muscle to muscles or muscle to fascia
Enthesis
- Enthesis - insertion region for tendon/ligament onto bone
- Aids in load transfer between the elastic tendon and the rigid bone (100x stiffer than tendon/ligament)
- Fibrous - directly onto bone
- Fibrocartilaginous - 4 zones with a gradual transition
- Muscular - attachment of muscle without tendon
Muscular tendon junction
- Abrupt rather than gradual transition
- Collagen fibers and muscle fibers interdigitate, this increases SA for force transmission and therefore decreases stress
- Less relevant for proximal muscle as they have fleshy attachments meaning their CSA will already be high
Structures surrounding tendons
- Fibrous sheath/retinacula (hand), assist in joint stability
- Synovial sheath and peritendinous fluid, reduce friction
- Bursae, reduce compression on tendon
Tendon vs ligament composition
Both have similar fibroblast to ECM ratio (10-20%:80-90%)
Ligament mainly collagen type 1 with some 3,4 and 5. Tendon mainly type 1 (stronger) less type 3.
Ligament has varying amounts of elastin while tendons have small amount
Ligaments have varied collagen arrangement (resist force in multiple direction) Tendons have collagen aligned along long axis (anisotropic, loading direct is important)
Tendons can have proteoglycans
Difference in stress strain curves
- Failure mode differs with tendons failing abruptly and ligaments failing progressively, due to fiber orientation.
- Tendons have a smaller toe region, easier to uncrimp as all in one direction.
- Tendons have smaller elastic regions (higher gradient) because of lower elastin, results in increased stiffness