title: Functional efficacy of tendon repair processes.
abstract: Despite various attempts to repair and replace injured tendon, an understanding of the repair processes and a systematic approach to achieving functional efficacy remain elusive. In this review the epidemiology of tendon injury and repair is first examined. Using a traditional paradigm for repair assessment, the biology and biomechanics of normal tendon, natural healing, and repair are then explored. New treatment strategies such as functional tissue engineering are discussed, including a functional approach to treatment that involves the development of in vivo functional design parameters to judge the acceptability of a repair outcome. The paper concludes with future directions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Noyes-Giannestras Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0048, USA. david.butler@uc.edu
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Juncosa
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dressler
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D013708:Tendon Injuries; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing