title: Elastic properties of Thiel-embalmed human ankle tendon and ligament.
abstract: Thiel embalming is recommended as an alternative to formalin-based embalming because it preserves tissue elasticity, color, and flexibility in the long term, with low infection and toxicity risk. The degree to which Thiel embalming preserves elasticity has so far been assessed mainly by subjective scoring, with little quantitative verification. The aim of this study is to quantify the effect of Thiel embalming on the elastic properties of human ankle tendons and ligament. Biomechanical tensile tests were carried out on six Thiel-embalmed samples each of the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, and calcaneal tendons, and the calcaneofibular ligament, with strain rates of 0.25%s(-1), 2%s(-1), and 8%s(-1). The stress-strain relationship was calculated from the force-extension response with cross-sectional area and gauge length. Young's modulus was determined from the stress-strain curve. The results showed that the tendon and ligament elasticity were lower after Thiel embalming than the literature values for fresh nonembalmed tendons and ligament. The biomechanical tensile test showed that the measured elasticity of Thiel-embalmed tendons and ligaments increased with the strain rate. The Thiel embalming method is useful for preserving human ankle tendons and ligaments for anatomy and surgery teaching and research, but users need to be aware of its softening effects. The method retains the mechanical strain rate effect on tendons and ligament.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Xiaochun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification, College of Art, Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Roos
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eisma
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D002102:Cadaver; D004548:Elasticity; D004615:Embalming / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Thiel embalming; ankle; elasticity; ligament; strain rate; tendon; tensile test