Augmentation of tendon healing with an injectable tendon hydrogel in a rat Achilles tendon model.

Background: Many unsolved problems in plastic and hand surgery are related to poor healing of acute and chronic tendon injuries. The authors hypothesized that tendon healing could be augmented by the addition of a tendon-derived, extracellular matrix hydrogel that would guide tissue regeneration.

Methods: Both Achilles tendons of 36 Wistar rats were given full-thickness injuries approximately 5 mm long and 0.