Novel methods for tendon investigations.
OBJECTIVE
Tendon structures have been studied for decades, but over the last decade, methodological development and renewed interest for metabolic, circulatory and tissue protein turnover in tendon tissue has resulted in a rising amount of investigations.


METHODS
This paper will detail the various modern investigative techniques available to study tendons.


RESULTS
There are a variety of investigative methods available to study the correlations between mechanics and biology in tendons.


CONCLUSIONS
The available methodologies not only allow for potential insight into physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms in tendon tissue, but also, to some extent, allow for more elaborate studies of the intact human tendon.
Kjaer
M
M
Institute of Sports Medicine, Department of Rheumatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. m.kjaer@mfi.ku.dk
Langberg
H
H
Bojsen-Møller
J
J
Koskinen
S O
SO
Mackey
A
A
Heinemeier
K
K
Holm
L
L
Skovgaard
D
D
Døssing
S
S
Hansen
M
M
Hansen
P
P
Haraldsson
B
B
Carøe
I
I
Magnusson
S P
SP
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D017551:Microdialysis; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D003094:Collagen; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases