Alterations in dry mass content of collagen fibers in degenerative tendinopathy and tendon-rupture.
The dry mass concentration and collagen fiber morphology of intact, as well as of degenerated and ruptured human Achilles, biceps brachii, extensor pollicis longus and quadriceps tendons, were determined by using the interference microscopical technique. The variation in the collagen fiber thickness was demonstrated in different intact tendons, the fibers being largest in the Achilles and smallest in the extensor pollicis longus tendons. However, the intact tendons exhibited only thick collagen fibers. In the degenerative tendinopathies an increase of the dry mass content was observed, being especially marked in calcifying tendinopathy. In the degenerated tendons the average collagen fiber diameter had decreased, and two clearly distinct populations of thick and thin fibers were observed. The dry mass content of the thick fibers was significantly greater than that of the thin fibers. The present results demonstrate striking changes in the collagen and its dry mass content in degenerative tendinopathy, thus also increasing the susceptibility to ruptures.
Józsa
L
L
Department of Morphology, National Institute of Traumatology, Budapest, Hungary.
Lehto
M
M
Kvist
M
M
Bálint
J B
JB
Reffy
A
A
D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology*
D003094:Collagen