Tendon grafts: their natural history, biology and future development.
The use of tendon grafts has diminished as regimes of primary repairs and rehabilitation have improved, but they remain important in secondary reconstruction. Relatively little is known about the cellular biology of grafts, and the general perception is that they have little biological activity. The reality is that there is a wealth of cellular and molecular changes occurring with the process of engraftment that affect the quality of the repair. This review highlights the historical perspectives and modern concepts of graft take, reviews the different attachment techniques and revisits the biology of pseudosheath formation. In addition, we discuss some of the future directions in tendon reconstruction by grafting, which include surface modification, vascularized tendon transfer, allografts, biomaterials and cell-based therapies.
Plastic Surgery Research, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
R
R
Wong
Plastic Surgery Research, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
N
N
Alam
Plastic Surgery Research, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
A D
AD
McGrouther
Plastic Surgery Research, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK jason.k.wong@manchester.ac.uk.
J K F
JK
Wong
D002465:Cell Movement; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005544:Forecasting; D015870:Gene Expression; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000639:trends; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D012038:Regeneration; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000639:trends; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003094:Collagen
Tendon; cell biology; grafting; healing; tissue engineering