The Change of the Mechanoreceptors of Injured Achilles Tendon According to the Immobilization Periods.
- Author:
Jong Min YOO
1
;
Jin Wha CHUNG
;
Ki Syck YOON
;
In Tak CHU
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul St.Mary's hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. itchu@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Mechanoreceptor;
Achilles tendon;
Immobilization
- MeSH:
Achilles Tendon;
European Continental Ancestry Group;
Humans;
Immobilization;
Mechanoreceptors;
Rabbits;
Tendons
- From:Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
2010;14(1):1-4
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the quantitative changes of the numbers of the mechanoreceptors in the experimentally tenotomized Achilles tendon of rabbits as compared with short-term immobilization and long-term immobilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 white rabbits were used. After tenotomizing the right Achilles tendon, the subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the periods of immobilizaton. The left side of each Achilles tendon of the rabbits were used as controls. The tendons were stained with a modified gold-chloride method. RESULTS: The number of mechanoreceptor was significantly decreased in the tenotomized Achilles tendon group than the control group (p<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two experimental groups in the numbers of the mechanoreceptors (p>0.01). CONCLUSION: The injured Achilles tendons may more vulnerable to injury because of the decreased numbers of mechanoreceptors, but no difference between the periods of immobilization. It may suggest that post-operative immobilization period may not affect on the outcome of operative treatment from the viewpoint of mechanoreceptors.
