THE STATE OF TISSUE HYDRATION DETERMINES THE STRAIN-RATE-SENSITIVE STIFFNESS OF HUMAN PATELLAR TENDON

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tissue hydr ation on the structural properties of human patellar tendon. Specimens were subjected to a load relaxation experiment prior to being stretch ed to failure. The experiments indicated that tendons relaxed faster i n hypotonic solutions when compared to hypertonic solutions. At a stra in rate of 50% s(-1) the structural stiffness was significantly higher while immersed in a hypotonic versus hypertonic solution. No differen ce in tensile stiffness was documented between baths for 0.5% s(-1). T endons immersed in the hypotonic solution were significantly stiffer f or 50% s(-1) against 0.5% s(-1). The results indicate that the structu ral properties of human patellar tendon are more sensitive to time whe n the tissues are fully hydrated. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.