Microstructural organization of carbon induced neotendon.
Experiments have been conducted in guinea pigs to replace the calcaneal tendon with carbon fibers. The new tendon formed has been studied macroscopically, histologically and by scanning electron microscopy, and shows a close resemblance to the normal tendinous structure but is adherent to the surrounding tissues. It is suggested that the surface characteristics of carbon fibers play an important role in that these attract and allow fibrinous exudate to spread on their surface, into which fibroblasts grow. This, together with the large surface area available, is probably responsible for the orderly longitudinal arrangement of collagen fibers parallel to the carbon fiber implant.
D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D004343:Drug Implants; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006365:Heel; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D004343:Drug Implants; D002244:Carbon; D003094:Collagen