Tendon tissue sampling

Mechanical load is regarded as the most important etiologic factor in cumul ative trauma disorders affecting human tendons. At present there is limited knowledge concerning adaptation and the influence of training on human ten don tissue and the time process of developing a chronic tendon disorder. Te ndon tissue samples and data concerning tendon pathology and repair have be en derived from biopsies removed during surgery for rupture or pain conditi ons and from autopsy material. The ultrasound-guided percutanous core biops y technique provides the possibility to obtain tendon tissue from human Ach illes and patellar tendon with limited discomfort for the individual. The s pecimens can be used for diagnostic purposes or for research and have the p otential to highlight novel knowledge in, for example, the early stages of painful human tendon disorders. The fact that the procedure is invasive is a limitation. Autopsy material has limitations regarding poor information o n case history post mortem alterations and legal regulations on the use of tissue for medical purposes. The inflammatory process quickly affects ruptu red tendons. The subcutaneous tendons that sustain a rupture are commonly c haracterized by degenerative alterations. Many tendon ruptures are treated with surgery, facilitating easy access to biopsy material. In summary tendo n tissue sampling in humans has obvious limitations. The recently described use of the core biopsy technique in human tendon research and diagnosis gi ves potential for new knowledge concerning human tendon adaptation, repair and disease.