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Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for storing elastic energy and positioning the foot for walking and running. Recent research into Achilles tendon anatomy and mechanics has revealed the importance of the Achilles subtendons, which are unique...

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Autores principales: Handsfield, Geoffrey G., Greiner, Joachim, Madl, Josef, Rog-Zielinska, Eva A., Hollville, Enzo, Vanwanseele, Benedicte, Shim, Vickie
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7739789/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33345061
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.00070
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author Handsfield, Geoffrey G.
Greiner, Joachim
Madl, Josef
Rog-Zielinska, Eva A.
Hollville, Enzo
Vanwanseele, Benedicte
Shim, Vickie
author_facet Handsfield, Geoffrey G.
Greiner, Joachim
Madl, Josef
Rog-Zielinska, Eva A.
Hollville, Enzo
Vanwanseele, Benedicte
Shim, Vickie
author_sort Handsfield, Geoffrey G.
collection PubMed
description The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for storing elastic energy and positioning the foot for walking and running. Recent research into Achilles tendon anatomy and mechanics has revealed the importance of the Achilles subtendons, which are unique and semi-independent structures arising from each of the three muscular heads of the triceps surae. Of particular importance is the ability for the subtendons to slide, the role that this has in healthy tendons, and the alteration of this property in aging and disease. In this work, we discuss technical approaches that have led to the current understanding of Achilles subtendons, particularly imaging and computational modeling. We introduce a 3D geometrical model of the Achilles subtendons, built from dual-echo UTE MRI. We revisit and discuss computational models of Achilles subtendon twisting suggesting that optimal twist reduces both rupture loads and stress concentrations by distributing stresses. Second harmonic generation imaging shows collagenous subtendons within a rabbit Achilles tendon; a clear absence of signal between the subtendons indicates an inter-subtendon region on the order of 30 μm in our rabbit animal model. Entry of wheat germ agglutinin in both the inter-fascicular and the inter-subtendon regions suggests a glycoprotein-containing inter-subtendon matrix which may facilitate low friction sliding of the subtendons in healthy mammals. Lastly, we present a new computational model coupled with human exercise trials to demonstrate the magnitude of Achilles subtendon sliding which occurs during rehabilitation exercises for Achilles tendinopathy, and shows that specific exercise can maximize subtendon sliding and interface strains, without maximizing subtendon strains. This work demonstrates the value of imaging and computational modeling for probing tendon structure-function relationships and may serve to inform and develop treatments for Achilles tendinopathy.
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spelling pubmed-77397892020-12-17 Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling Handsfield, Geoffrey G. Greiner, Joachim Madl, Josef Rog-Zielinska, Eva A. Hollville, Enzo Vanwanseele, Benedicte Shim, Vickie Front Sports Act Living Sports and Active Living The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for storing elastic energy and positioning the foot for walking and running. Recent research into Achilles tendon anatomy and mechanics has revealed the importance of the Achilles subtendons, which are unique and semi-independent structures arising from each of the three muscular heads of the triceps surae. Of particular importance is the ability for the subtendons to slide, the role that this has in healthy tendons, and the alteration of this property in aging and disease. In this work, we discuss technical approaches that have led to the current understanding of Achilles subtendons, particularly imaging and computational modeling. We introduce a 3D geometrical model of the Achilles subtendons, built from dual-echo UTE MRI. We revisit and discuss computational models of Achilles subtendon twisting suggesting that optimal twist reduces both rupture loads and stress concentrations by distributing stresses. Second harmonic generation imaging shows collagenous subtendons within a rabbit Achilles tendon; a clear absence of signal between the subtendons indicates an inter-subtendon region on the order of 30 μm in our rabbit animal model. Entry of wheat germ agglutinin in both the inter-fascicular and the inter-subtendon regions suggests a glycoprotein-containing inter-subtendon matrix which may facilitate low friction sliding of the subtendons in healthy mammals. Lastly, we present a new computational model coupled with human exercise trials to demonstrate the magnitude of Achilles subtendon sliding which occurs during rehabilitation exercises for Achilles tendinopathy, and shows that specific exercise can maximize subtendon sliding and interface strains, without maximizing subtendon strains. This work demonstrates the value of imaging and computational modeling for probing tendon structure-function relationships and may serve to inform and develop treatments for Achilles tendinopathy. Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-06-23 /pmc/articles/PMC7739789/ /pubmed/33345061 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.00070 Text en Copyright © 2020 Handsfield, Greiner, Madl, Rog-Zielinska, Hollville, Vanwanseele and Shim. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
spellingShingle Sports and Active Living
Handsfield, Geoffrey G.
Greiner, Joachim
Madl, Josef
Rog-Zielinska, Eva A.
Hollville, Enzo
Vanwanseele, Benedicte
Shim, Vickie
Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling
title Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling
title_full Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling
title_fullStr Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling
title_full_unstemmed Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling
title_short Achilles Subtendon Structure and Behavior as Evidenced From Tendon Imaging and Computational Modeling
title_sort achilles subtendon structure and behavior as evidenced from tendon imaging and computational modeling
topic Sports and Active Living
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7739789/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33345061
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.00070
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