Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22(02): 119-124
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-08-03-0029
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Morphological and biomechanical studies on the common calcaneal tendon in dogs

I. Jopp
1   Department for Veterinary Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
,
S. Reese
1   Department for Veterinary Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 March 2008

Accepted 19 March 2008

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Spontanous rupture at the distal part of the gastrocnemius tendon (GT) is the second most common non-traumatic tendon injury in dogs, whereas the other strands of the common calcaneal tendon do not seem to have a predisposition to rupture. In order to discover why we investigated the common calcaneal tendons of 63 dogs microscopically and biomechanically. Both the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor tendon (SFT) had multiple low vascularized fibrocartilaginous areas within their distal course as opposed to regular parallel fibered areas in the proximal tendon areas. Biomechanical testing revealed that the distal sections in both tendons show a 50% and 70% lower tensile strength (Fmax/kg BW) than the proximal sections (p<0.01), respectively. On the contrary, tensile load (Fmax/mm2) only differed minimally between proximal and distal sections in both tendons (8% and 9%, respectively), whereas the tensile load of the distal gastrocnemius tendon is 35% lower than of the distal superficial flexor tendon (p<0.01). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to experimentally show that there are different biomechanical properties within the same tendon. The maximum load to failure is lower in the GT compared to the SFT within the same dog which explains its higher incidence of rupture in the field. The avascular fibrocartilaginous structure in the distal gastrocnemius tendon seems to play a further role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous rupture.

Keywords

Tendon - biomechanics - fibrocartilage - rupture - dog
 

  • References

  • 1 Pavaux C, Lignereux Y, Sautet JY. Anatomie comparative et chirurgicale du tendon calcaneen commun des mammiferes domestique. Zbl Vet Med C 1983; 12: 60-69.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Hermanson J, Evans HE. The muscular system. In: Miller´s anatomy of the dog. Evans HE. (eds.) Philadelphia: Saunders; 1993: 356-359 369–370, 380.
    Google Scholar
  • 3 Kása F, Kása G, Prieur W-D. Traumata von Sehnen und Sehnenscheiden. In: Praktikum der Hundeklinik. Niemand HG, Suter PF. (eds.) Berlin, Hamburg: Parey Verlag; 1994: 198-190.
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Reese S. Untersuchungen am intakten und rupturierten Ligamentum cruciatum craniale des Hundes. Diss med vet Berlin. 1995
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Tillmann B, Koch S. Functional adaption processes of gliding tendons. Sportverletz Sports-chaden 1995; 9: 44-50.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Benjamin M, Ralphs J. Tendons and ligaments – an overview. Histol Histopathol 1997; 12: 1135-1144.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Benjamin M, Ralphs J. Fibrocartilage associated with ligaments and tendons. J Anat 1998; 193: 481-494.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Milz S, Benjamin M, Putz R. Molecular parameters indicating adaption to mechanical stress in fibrous connective tissue. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2005; 178: 1-71.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Benjamin M, Toumi H, Ralphs JR. et al. Where tendons and ligaments meet bone: attachment sites (“entheses”) in relation to exercise and/or mechanical load. J Anat 2006; 208: 471-490.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Peterson W, Hohmann G, Pufe T. et al. Structure of the human tibialis posterior tendon. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2004; 124: 237-242
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Spalteholz K. Über das Durchsichtigmachen von menschlichen und tierischen Präparaten und seinen theoretischen Bedingungen. Leipzig: Hirzel Verlag; 1914: 91.
    Google Scholar
  • 12 Riemersma DJ, Schamhardt HC. The Cryo-Jaw, a clamp designed for in vitro rheology studies of horse digital flexor tendons. J Biomechanics 1982; 15: 619-620.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Shadwick E. Elastic energy storage in tendons: mechanical differences related to function and age. J Appl Physiol 1992; 68: 1033-1040.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Ploetz E. Umwandelbarkeit von “Gleitsehnen” in “Zugsehnen” und umgekehrt. Anat Anz 1937; 45.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Ploetz E. Funktioneller Bau und funktionelle Anpassung der Gleitsehnen. Z Orthop 1938; 67: 212-234.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Rufai A, Ralphs J, Benjamin M. Structure and histopathology of the insertional region of the human Achilles tendon. J Orthop Res 1995; 13: 585-593.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Evanko SP, Vogel KG. Ultrastructure and proteoglycan composition in the developing fibrocartilaginous region of bovine tendon. Matrix 1990; 10: 420-436.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Benjamin M, Ralphs J. Functional and developmental anatomy of tendons and ligaments. In: Repetitive motion disorders of the upper extremity. Gordon SL, Blair SJ, Fine LJ. (eds.) Rosemont: Am Acad Orthop Surg 1995; 185-203.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Zantop T, Petersen W. Biomechanical analysis of the human Achilles tendon. 17. Arbeitstagung der Anatomischen Gesellschaft. Würzburg. 2000
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Meutstege F. The classification of canine Achilles tendon lesions. Vet Comp Orthop Traum. 1993: 53-55.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Rivers B, Walter P, Kramek B. et al. Sonographic findings in canine common calcaneal tendon injury. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10: 45-53.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Kramer M, Schimke E, Gerwing M. et al. Achillessehnenerkrankungen bei Hund und Katze. Tierärztl Praxis K 1998; 26: 238-246.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Carr A, Norris S. The blood supply of the calcaneal tendon. J Bone Joint Surg 1989; 71: 100-101.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Stein V, Laprell H, Tinnemeyer S. et al. Quantitative assessment of intravascular volume of the human Achilles tendon. Acta Orthop Scand 2000; 1: 60-63.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Theobald P, Benjamin M, Nokes L. et al. Review of the vascularisation of the human Achilles tendon. Injury 2005; 36: 1267-1272.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Klocke J. Quantitative differences in the vascularisation of the Achilles tendon and their relation to ruptures of the Achilles tendon. Orthop Prax 1991; 27: 65-69.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Orava S, Hurme M, Leppilahti J. Bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: a report on two cases. Scand J Med Sci Sports 1996; 6: 309-312.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Reineke JD, Kus SP. Achilles mechanism injury in the dog. Comp Cont Educ 1982; 4: 639.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Haglund P. Beitrag zur Klinik der Achillessehne. Z Orthop Chir 1928; 49: 49.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Smith T. Fundamental conditions and procedures. In: Comprehensive Textbook of Foot Surgery. Mc Glamry E, Banks A. et al. (eds) Baltimore, Hong Kong, London, Munich, Philadelphia, Sydney, Tokyo: Wiliams & Wiliams; 1992: 440.
    Google Scholar