Growth Factor Expression During Healing in 3 Distinct Tendons.

Purpose: We investigated unique tendon growth-factor expression profiles over time in response to simultaneous, similar injuries. Characterizing these genetic differences lays the foundation for creating targeted, tendon-specific therapies and provides insight into why current growth-factor treatments have success in some applications but not others.

Methods: The left fourth digital flexor, triceps, and supraspinatus tendons in 24 rats were cut to 50% of their transverse width at the midbelly under anesthesia.