We compared the biological characteristics of extrinsic fibroblasts infiltrating the patellar tendon with those of normal, intrinsic fibroblasts in the normal tendon in vitro. Infiltrative fibroblasts were isolated from the patellar tendons of rabbits six weeks after an in situ freeze-thaw treatment which killed the intrinsic fibroblasts. These intrinsic cells were also isolated from the patellar tendons of rabbits which had not been so treated. Proliferation and invasive migration into the patellar tendon was significantly slower for infiltrative fibroblasts than for normal tendon fibroblasts. Flow-cytometric analysis indicated that expression of α5β1 integrin at the cell surface was significantly lower in infiltrative fibroblasts than in normal tendon fibroblasts. The findings suggest that cellular proliferation and invasive migration of fibroblasts into the patellar tendon after necrosis are inferior to those of the normal fibroblasts. The inferior intrinsic properties of infiltrative fibroblasts may contribute to a slow remodelling process in the grafted tendon after ligament reconstruction

Most cases of club foot (congenital talipes equinovarus) respond to non-operative treatment but resistant cases may need surgery. It is broadly accepted that lengthening of tendo Achillis, the tendon of tibialis posterior and capsulotomy of the ankle and subtalar joints are necessary during surgical release, but there is no consensus as to whether lengthening of the tendons of flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus is required. We randomised 13 children with severe bilateral club foot deformities to undergo lengthening of the flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus tendons on one side and simple decompression on the other. We found no difference in the deformities of the toes between the lengthened and non-lengthened sides at a mean follow-up of four years (2 to 6). We conclude that routine lengthening of the tendons of flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus during soft-tissue surgery for resistant club foot is not necessary

We reviewed 11 patients who had been treated between January 1986 and June 1994 for severe foot injuries by tendon transfer with microvascular free flaps. Their mean age was 5.6 years (3 to 8). Five had simultaneous tendon transfer and a microvascular free flap and six had separate operations. The mean interval between the tendon transfer and the microvascular free flap was 5.8 months (2 to 15) and the mean time between the initial injury and the tendon transfer was 9.6 months (2 to 21). The anterior tibial tendon was split in five of six cases. The posterior tibial tendon was used three times and the extensor digitorum longus tendon twice. The mean follow-up was 39.7 months (24 to 126). There were nine excellent and two good results. Postoperative complications included loosening of the transferred tendon (2), plantar flexion contracture (1) mild flat foot deformity (1) and hypertrophic scars (2). We recommend tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap in children with foot injuries combined with nerve injury and extensive loss of skin, soft tissue and tendon

Despite widespread use of radiofrequency (RF) shrinkage, there have been no animal studies on the effects of post-operative immobilisation on the histological properties of the shrunken tissue. We have therefore examined the role of post-operative immobilisation after RF shrinkage with special emphasis on the histological properties of collagenous tissue. One patellar tendon of 66 New Zealand White rabbits was shrunk. Six rabbits were killed immediately after the operation. Twenty rabbits were not immobilised, 20 were immobilised for three weeks and 20 for six weeks. Fibroblasts, collagen and vascular quality and density were evaluated on sections, stained by haematoxylin and eosin. Nine weeks after operation the histological properties were inferior to those of the contralateral control tendons. Shrunk tendons did not return to normal at any time after operation irrespective of whether the animals had been immobilised or not. All the parameters improved significantly between zero and three weeks after operation. Immobilised tendons tended to have a better and faster recovery. Careful rehabilitation is imperative after RF shrinkage. Immobilisation aids recovery of the histological properties. Our findings in this animal model support a period of immobilisation of more than three weeks

We examined macroscopically and microscopically 55 cadaver rotator-cuff tendons attached to their humeral heads to determine the distance between the edge of the articular cartilage and the tendon insertion of the supraspinatus (the width of the sulcus) and the score of regressive changes at the sulcus. In 33 specimens we measured the tensile strength. The width of the sulcus was correlated with the score of regressive changes and with the ultimate tensile strength of the supraspinatus tendon. The width of the sulcus correlated positively with the score of regressive changes (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001), but there was a negative correlation between the latter and the ultimate tensile strength (r = −0.81, p = 0.001) and between the width of the sulcus and the ultimate tensile strength (r = −0.74, p = 0.004). We believe that the width of the sulcus is a simple and useful clinical indicator of the integrity and the tensile strength of the supraspinatus tendon

We treated surgically 16 shoulders with an isolated traumatic rupture of the subscapularis tendon over a six-year period. Nine patients had a total and seven a partial tear of the subscapularis tendon. Repair was undertaken through a small deltopectoral groove approach. The mean Constant score improved in total tears from 38.7 to 89.3 points (p = 0.003) and in partial tears from 50.7 to 87.9 points (p = 0.008). The total tears were significantly more improved by surgery than the partial tears (p = 0.001). The delay between trauma and surgery was inversely proportional to the improvement in the Constant score suggesting that early diagnosis and surgical repair improves outcome

Blood flow in intact tendons in dogs was measured using 57Co-labelled microspheres and compared with the simultaneous clearance of a diffusible radionuclide, 85Sr, by the same tendons. Clearance was significantly greater than flow in all tendons, indicating that diffusion from surrounding tissues may be important in the nutrition of normal tendons

1. A series of 149 consecutive cases of flexor tendon grafting in the fingers and thumb is reviewed and the results are analysed. A description of the technique which has evolved from this experience is given. 2. Replacement of a divided flexor digitorum profundus in the presence of an intact sublimis tendon restored a useful range of movement in 80 per cent of cases. 3. Replacement of both flexor digitorum profundus and sublimis gave good results in 70 to 80 per cent of cases. 4. Replacement of a divided flexor pollicis longus tendon gave good results in 85 per cent of cases. 5. The particular tendon used for the graft did not materially influence the result, but there are special indications for the use of the different tendons. 6. The choice of splintage or of early movement after operation does not appear to have a significant bearing upon the result. 7. The most important factor in determining the result is probably a precise and gentle surgical technique and complete haemostasis. Minor differences in method are of little importance. The failures in this series were due more to faulty performance of the operation than to any other single factor

1. The descriptive anatomy of the tendinous component of the subclavius muscle is amplified. 2. The subclavius tendon comprises a shorter, medial pars libera, continuous with a longer, narrower, more lateral pars paramuscularis. This last may be prolonged further laterally by two or three tendinous fasciculi. 3. Both parts of the subclavius tendon are constant. By tenodesis they provide, on the average, one and a half to two inches of material eminently suitable for employment in the functional replacement of a damaged costo-clavicular ligament

We report 22 patients (19 women and three men) of mean age 20.8 years who had painful snapping sensations in the groin. Most were able to reproduce the click by extending the affected hip from a flexed, abducted and externally rotated position and most were tender in the adductor triangle. Plain radiographs and an arthrogram were normal. A clinical diagnosis of subluxation of the iliopsoas tendon was made. Conservative management failed in 14 patients, two of whom had bilateral pain. All 14 had surgical release of the iliopsoas tendon through a medial approach. At follow-up (mean 17 months) the click had resolved in ten hips, was occasional but painless in five and unchanged in one. The syndrome of a painful 'snapping' psoas may result in disproportionately disabling symptoms. It may be diagnosed on clinical grounds and effectively treated, when severe, by release of the iliopsoas tendon

This study evaluates the position of the long head of biceps tendon using ultrasound following simple tenotomy, in patients with arthroscopically repaired rotator cuff tears. In total, 52 patients with a mean age of 60.7 years (45 to 75) underwent arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff and simple tenotomy of the long head of biceps tendon. At two years post-operatively, ultrasound revealed that the tendon was inside the bicipital groove in 43 patients (82.7%) and outside in nine (17.3%); in six of these it was lying just outside the groove and in the remaining three (5.8%) it was in a remote position with a positive Popeye Sign. A dynamic ultrasound scan revealed that the tenotomised tendons had adhered to the surrounding tissues (autotenodesis).The initial condition of the tendon influenced its final position (p < 0.0005). The presence of a Popeye sign was statistically influenced by the pre-operative co-existence of supraspinatus and subscapularis tears (p < 0.0001). It appears that the natural history of the tenotomised long head of biceps tendon is to tenodese itself inside or just outside the bicipital groove, while its pre-operative condition and coexistent subscapularis tears play a significant role in the occurrence of a Popeye sign

Previous perfusion studies of the rotator cuff have demonstrated an area of hypovascularity in the distal part of the supraspinatus tendon. This has been implicated in the pathogenesis of its rupture. We performed a quantitative histological analysis of the vascularity of the tendons of supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Vessel number, size and the percentage of the tendon occupied by vessels were measured at 5 mm intervals from the humeral insertions to the muscle bellies. Both tendons were hypovascular in their distal 15 mm. No significant difference was demonstrated between the vascularity of supraspinatus and infraspinatus. We conclude that factors other than vascularity are important in the pathogenesis of supraspinatus rupture

Ochronosis, the musculoskeletal manifestation of alkaptonuria, is known to lead to degenerative changes of the spine and weight-bearing joints. Symptoms related to degeneration of tendons or ligaments with spontaneous ruptures have not previously been reported. Three patients are described with four spontaneous ruptures of either the patellar tendon or tendo Achillis as the first symptom of alkaptonuria

1. A modified technique of tendon transference for irreparable damage of the radial nerve is described. The tendon of the pronator teres is transferred to the two radial extensors of the wrist and to the tendon of extensor carpi ulnaris. 2. The method succeeds in preventing radial deviation on attempted dorsiflexion of wrist and helps to provide a powerful grip

A lesion similar to that described by Bankart in recurrent dislocation of the shoulder was seen in seven patients with recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendons. Detachment of the periosteum had resulted in the formation of a false pouch on the surface of the lower end of the fibula; into this pouch the peroneal tendons could easily dislocate. Reattachment of the periosteum to drill holes in the fibula prevented dislocation, and this anatomical method of repair is described. This lesion is one of the causes of recurrent dislocation of the peroneal tendons

1. Pain at the front of the radial side of the wrist may be caused by various lesions of the tendon and sheath of the flexor carpi radialis tendon. 2. The diagnosis may be established by testing resisted movement at the wrist and by the effect of injecting local anaesthetic into the tendon sheath. 3. In women over the age of fifty the lesion is associated with osteoarthritis of the joint between the scaphoid and the trapezium. 4. Osteoarthritis of the joint between the scaphoid and the trapezium is found in about 25 per cent of women over the age of fifty. 5. If the pain is not relieved by simple conservative measures it can usually be cured by incision of the tendon sheath. 6. The histological changes in the tendon sheath are similar to those found in tenovaginitis of the abductor pollicis longus and tibialis posterior tendons

The use of volar locking compression plates for the treatment of fractures of the distal radius is becoming increasingly popular because of the stable biomechanical construct, less soft-tissue disturbance and early mobilisation of the wrist. A few studies have reported complications such as rupture of flexor tendons. We describe three cases of rupture of extensor tendons after the use of volar locking compression plates. We recommend extreme care when drilling and placing the distal radial screws to prevent damaging the extensor tendons

We report four patients with a mean age of 17 years (14 to 22) with external rotation injuries of the knee in slight flexion. Radiographs showed a small fragment in the area of the lateral femoral condyle. At operation, the fragment, consisting of the femoral insertion of the popliteus, was anatomically reduced and fixed. At a mean follow-up of 35 months all the knees had an excellent function score. An isolated lesion of the popliteus often presents as a tendon avulsion whereas major damage to the posterolateral corner of the knee involves combined ligamentous injuries. In patients with an acute haemarthrosis and lateral pain in a stable knee, the diagnosis of isolated avulsion of the popliteus tendon should be suspected. Arthroscopy with special attention to the lateral gutter is indicated. We advise anatomical reduction and fixation of the fragment to prevent possible long-term effects on other posterolateral structures

We report ten cases of rupture of the distal part of the tendon of biceps brachii in patients aged from 27 to 58 years. MRI allowed assessment of the degree of retraction of the tendon which was related to the integrity of the bicipital expansion. When the retraction exceeded 8 cm the expansion was always ruptured. When there was doubt, or in longstanding injury, MRI allowed the lesions to be defined. Surgical repair was by reinsertion on the radial tuberosity at one or two fixation points in eight patients and reinsertion on the anterior brachial muscle in one. The other patient refused surgery. The MRI findings were confirmed at operation. Use of fixation points allowed minimal intervention, thereby reducing the risk of damaging the radial nerve. One year after operation, dynamometric evaluation of the strength of flexion and supination confirmed that the best results were obtained by reinsertion to the radial tuberosity

We used demineralised bone matrix (DBM) to augment re-attachment of tendon to a metal prosthesis in an in vivo ovine model of reconstruction of the extensor mechanism at the knee. We hypothesised that augmentation of the tendon-implant interface with DBM would enhance the functional and histological outcomes as compared with previously reported control reconstructions without DBM. Function was assessed at six and 12 weeks postoperatively, and histological examination was undertaken at 12 weeks. A significant increase of 23.5% was observed in functional weight-bearing at six weeks in the DBM-augmented group compared with non-augmented controls (p = 0.004). By 12 weeks augmentation with DBM resulted in regeneration of a more direct-type enthesis, with regions of fibrocartilage, mineralised fibrocartilage and bone. In the controls the interface was predominantly indirect, with the tendon attached to the bone graft-hydroxyapatite base plate by perforating collagen fibres