Tendons and ligaments L1: Biomechanics of tendons and ligaments Flashcards
Tendons and ligaments are ______ connective tissue
dense, regular
Tendons and ligaments are well adapted to resisting ____ forces.
Tensile
What are 5 functions of ligaments?
- Transmit tensile forces (bone to bone)
- Strong enough to provide stability
- Flexible enough to permit joint motion
- Up to 5 degree varus –> flexibility
- >5 degree varus –> stiffness
How do the fibres span in anterior & posterior longitudinal ligaments in the superficial layer?
fibres span several levels
How do the fibres span in anterior & posterior longitudinal ligaments in the deep layer
- fibres cross only adjacent vertebrae, attach to annulus fibrosis
- short segment
What are anterior & posterior longitudinal ligaments (vertebral)?
- Regional differences in size – thickest in thoracic region
- Different in composition, mechanical properties
- Natural brace- prevent injury ‘
What is ligamentum flavum? 4 characteristics.
- Thick, elastic ligament connects lamina (vertebral canal wall)
- Under constant tension (elastic)
- Provides continuous compressive force
- Prevents buckling during movement (helps you ‘spring back up’)
Which side of the ankle ligaments are more prone to injury? Why?
Lateral side is more likely to be injured- because there are fewer and less broad
What are the 3 arches (plantar ligaments) of the foot?
2 longitudinal arches and 1 transverse arch
What are the 3 components that are determine the plantar ligaments?
- Bony arrangement
- Plantar ligaments
- Plantar aponeurosis
What is the windlass mechanism?
Windlass mechanism- lift first toe –> see plantar aponeurosis lift up
What is the function of the plantar ligaments?
Functions to adapt to surfaces & dampen impact forces
What are the functions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?
- Resists anterior tibial translation and rotational loads
- Ability to stabilise knee in various positions and loading conditions
What is the anatomy of the ACL like?
2 bundles- complex anatomy
ACL has a _____ curve.
Non-linear load-elongation
- First compliant (toe region)
- Stiff region
Females are 4 times more likely to have a ACL injury due to sporting injury. True or False.
True
What are the 4 functions of tendons?
- Transmit force from muscle to bone (joint motion)
- Absorb, store and release energy maximise exercise efficiency (conserve energy)…muscles are expensive to change length
- Power amplification (store slow and release fast – catapult)
- Protect muscle from damage (power attenuation – shock absorber)
What are 2 specific energy storing tendons? Why?
Achilles and patellar tendons elasticity and fatigue resistance (most fail at 3.3%, Achilles > 12%)
How does a tendon buffer?
During jump landing or walking down a hill, tendon lengthens before muscles to prevent eccentric damage
How does a tendon act like an amplifer?
During stance, Achilles tendon slowly stores and quickly releases energy during push-off to propel to the next step
Slow Storage + Rapid Recoil = more power!
Explain how the Achilles tendon structure can help when walking on uneven surfaces/movement of the calcaneus.
- Fascicles of Achilles tendon spiral 90 deg. during descent
- Allows elongation & elastic recoil for energy release
- MG fairly parallel
- LG and soleus insert onto calcaneus with strong torsion
- Helps calcaneus to accommodate for surfaces
- Important for intra-tendinous strain distribution
- Regional variations within Achilles tendon strains during walking (function?)
Explain how the ITB is an energy storing tendon.
- The human IT band evolved for energy storage (chimpanzee vs human comparison)
- stores up to 7J of energy during running (14% of Achilles)
- 1J of energy during walking
- One of most common overuse running injuries
What are 2 mechanical properties of tendon affect muscle output?
- A more compliant tendon requires a higher level of muscle contraction before force is generated around a joint.
- There is a delay between the activation of a muscle and its production of force – the electro-mechanical delay.
- more compliant tendon = greater electro-mechanical delay, less force transmitted for given change in length.
- Ca2+ pump
A more compliant tendon requires a _____ level of muscle contraction before force is generated around a joint.
higher
What is a electro-mechanical delay?
There is a delay between the activation of a muscle and its production of force
A more compliant tendon = _______ (greater/less) electro-mechanical delay, ______ (greater/less) force transmitted for given change in length.
greater less
What is an aponeurosis?
- Broad sheet of dense regular connective tissue
- Attaches muscle to bone or muscle to muscle or muscle to fascia
- Both tendons and aponeurosis are highly organized elastic (parallel collagen fibres)
An aponeurosis is a broad sheet of _______ connective tissue
Dense, regular
Aponeurosis attaches from ____ to _____ ____ to _____ ____ to _____
Attaches: muscle to bone muscle to muscle muscle to fascia
What is an enthesis?
Tendon/ligament to bone insertion
What is the function of the enthesis?
Aids load transfer between elastic tendon/ligament and rigid bone (100x stiffer than tendon/ligament)
What are the 3 types of fibres in the enthesis?
- Fibrous (inserts directly onto long bone)
- Fibrocartilaginous (4 distinct zones with a gradual transition)
- Muscular (attachment of muscle to bone without a tendon)
What is a muscle-tendon junction?
- Abrupt rather than gradual transition
- Collagen fibres and muscle cell membrane interdigitate (join/combine) to increase surface area and reduce stress between tendon and muscle
What are 3 different surrounding structures?
¥ Fibrous sheath/retinacula e.g. hand o Assist in joint stability ¥ Synovial sheaths +/- peritendinous fluid o Reduce friction ¥ Bursae e.g. subacromial o at sites of compression o Pillow sacs o Help lig. &tendons stress