The effect of hyaluronan on tendon healing in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
Enhancement of the healing of the tendon-bone junction is important for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the hamstring tendon. We examined the effect of hyaluronan injection into the bone tunnel on the healing of the tendon-bone junction.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
The medial half of the patella tendon of Japanese white rabbits was detached from the tibial insertion and transplanted into a drill hole in the tibial tuberosity with a pullout fixation. The bone tunnel was filled with 0.5 mL of hyaluronan (MW, 0.8 million) or without hyaluronan in the contralateral knee as the control. Biomechanical testing was performed at 3 (n = 6) and 6 weeks (n = 4) with histologic analysis (n = 3).


RESULTS
Maximum failure load of the patella-patellar tendon-tibia complex in the knee treated with hyaluronan was higher than that in the control side in each rabbit at 3 weeks: 98 +/- 6 N in the hyaluronan group and 76 +/- 12 N in the control group (P < .01). Histologic analysis showed that hyaluronan improved tendon healing. Although maximum failure load increased in both groups, the failure load was not significant at 6 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study found improved tendon healing to bone in the first 3 weeks for Japanese white rabbits treated with hyaluronan.


CONCLUSIONS
Because hyaluronan treatment produces a clinical effect, even in only the early phase after ligament surgery, it could improve rehabilitation and produce a better outcome for ligament reconstruction.
Yagishita
Kazuyoshi
K
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Sekiya
Ichiro
I
Sakaguchi
Yusuke
Y
Shinomiya
Kenichi
K
Muneta
Takeshi
T
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013709:Tendon Transfer; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D006820:Hyaluronic Acid