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Strain distribution due to propagation of tears in the anterior supraspinatus tendon
Author(s) -
Miller R. Matthew,
Fujimaki Yoshimasa,
Araki Daisuke,
Musahl Volker,
Debski Richard E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.22675
Subject(s) - tears , cadaveric spasm , rotator cuff , strain (injury) , anatomy , medicine , tendon , cadaver , surgery
Rotator cuff tears are a significant clinical problem. Tears in the anterior supraspinatus might behave differently compared to central tears due to differences in regional structural properties. The objective of this study was to determine strain distributions for anterior supraspinatus tendon tears and the relationship to tear propagation during cyclic loading. It was hypothesized that highest maximum principal strain would be posterior to the tear, and tears would propagate in the direction of the maximum principal strain. Eight human cadaveric supraspinatus tendons with surgically created small tears in the anterior third were tested with increasing levels of cyclic loads. The position of strain markers was recorded on the bursal surface of the tendon to calculate strain. Tendons reached a 2 cm critical tendon retraction at 580 ± 181 N. Largest strains were found medial and posterior to the tear (26.1 ± 9.4%). In five tendons, the strain direction for the initial (114 ± 28°) and final loading sets (86 ± 20°) indicated the strain direction shifted from an anterior to posterior orientation ( p < 0.01), corresponding to the direction of tear propagation. Based on the results, anterior supraspinatus tears would remain isolated to the supraspinatus tendon during activities of daily living. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1283–1289, 2014.