Effect of cyclic loading on the ultimate tensile strength of small metallic suture anchors used for attaching artificial tendons in rabbits.

Background –: Suture anchor failures can lead to revision surgeries which are costly and burdensome for patients. The durability of musculoskeletal reconstructions is therefore partly affected by the design of the suture anchors.

Purpose –: The purpose of the study was to quantify the strength of different suture anchors whose sizes are suitable for attaching artificial Achilles and tibialis cranialis tendons in a rabbit model, as well as determine the effect of cyclic loading on the anchoring strength.

Attaching artificial Achilles and tibialis cranialis tendons to bone using suture anchors in a rabbit model: assessment of outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with outcomes of attaching artificial tendons to bone using suture anchors for replacement of biological tendons in rabbits.

Study Design: Metal suture anchors with braided composite sutures of varying sizes (USP #1, #2, or #5) were used to secure artificial tendons replacing both the Achilles and tibialis cranialis tendons in 12 New Zealand White rabbits. Artificial tendons were implanted either at the time of (immediate replacement, n=8), or four weeks after (delayed replacement, n=4) resection of the biological tendon.

Replacement of tibialis cranialis tendon with polyester, silicone-coated artificial tendon preserves biomechanical function in rabbits compared to tendon excision only.

Background: Artificial tendons may be an effective alternative to autologous and allogenic tendon grafts for repairing critically sized tendon defects. The goal of this study was to quantify the in vivo hindlimb biomechanics (ground contact pressure and sagittal-plane motion) during hopping gait of rabbits having a critically sized tendon defect of the tibialis cranialis and either with or without repair using an artificial tendon.

Methods: In five rabbits, the tibialis cranialis tendon of the left hindlimb was surgically replaced with a polyester, silicone-coated artificial tendon (PET-SI); five operated control rabbits underwent complete surgical excision of the biological tibialis cranialis tendon in the left hindlimb with no replacement (TE).

Biomechanics in Africa: current state and potential for growth.

The potential of biomechanics for improving human health and performance is well established in many parts of the world. However, across most of Africa, biomechanics remains relatively underdeveloped. The discussion around biomechanics in the continent has increased in recent times and young African scientists are pursuing career opportunities in biomechanics-related fields within Africa and in other parts of the world.

Low-cost body-powered prosthesis for transfemoral amputation.

To allow an amputee resume healthy walking, a well-designed lower limb prosthesis is required. However, in many developing countries, the cost of high-tech and often imported prosthesis is out of the financial reach of many amputees. The objective of this study was to design and implement a mechanical, body-powered transfemoral prosthetic device to help transfemoral amputees regain functional ambulation.