CYCLIC STRESS-TESTING AFTER IN-VIVO HEALING OF CANINE FLEXOR TENDON LACERATIONS

This study evaluated the effects of cyclic tension applied to lacerate d and repaired canine flexor tendons after various periods of in vivo healing for up to 30 days. Final gaps obtained after cyclic stress tes ting were found to increase from a baseline of 0.75 +/- 0.17 mm (zero time controls) to a maximum of 1.14 +/- 0.24 mm at 3 days after repair , before returning to baseline at 10 days (0.63 +/- 0.27 mm). Cap form ation at 30 days after repair (0.65 +/- 0.27 mm) was similar to that o f control tendons. This canine study suggests that continued protectio n of flexor tendons from strong repetitive tensile, stress should exte nd at least through 30 days after repair.