OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of tensile stress on human heel skin fibroblast proliferation in vitro, providing a theoretical basis for preventing the wound edge skin necrosis and nonunion after calcaneal fracture surgery.

METHODSFibroblast cells were taken from lateral heel skin of a 40 year-old-man, then cultured and subcultured in vitro. After that, they were divided into three groups: 0 hours group, 6 hours group and 24 hours group and were tested by tensile stress testing. The levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in nutrient fluid were measured. Transmission electron microscope and light microscope was applied for observe mitochondria and nucleus.

RESULTSUnder 10% of the tensile stress, mitochondria decreased, the levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in nutrient fluid were decreased and cell proliferation was inhibited gradually with time increasing.

CONCLUSIONThe human lateral heel skin in a long-time tensile stress state is an important cause of wound edge skin necrosis and nonunion after calcaneus fracture surgery.