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Tendon Biomechanics

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Muscle and Tendon Injuries

Abstract

Tendons are complex connective tissues within the musculoskeletal system that are essential to both locomotion and joint stability. Tendon tissue consists of parallel collagen fibers embedded within an extracellular matrix. This organized structure aides in tendon mechanical behavior and their ability to function as an intermediary to transmit forces between the muscle and bone and also maintain joint stability. Understanding the biomechanical properties of tendons is important in order to optimize treatment strategies for tendon pathology. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of tendon biomechanics including a description of tendon composition and structure, mechanical properties, mechanical testing, and factors that affect mechanics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, University of Pennsylvania, 3450 Hamilton Walk, 425 Stemmler Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6180, USA

    Zakary M. Beach B.S., Daniel J. Gittings M.D. & Louis J. Soslowsky Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Zakary M. Beach B.S.
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  2. Daniel J. Gittings M.D.
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  3. Louis J. Soslowsky Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Louis J. Soslowsky Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Koelliker Hospital, Centre of Sports Traumatology, Torino, Italy

    Gian Luigi Canata

  2. Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aspetar Hospital Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar

    Pieter d'Hooghe

  3. Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, USA

    Kenneth J. Hunt

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Beach, Z.M., Gittings, D.J., Soslowsky, L.J. (2017). Tendon Biomechanics. In: Canata, G., d'Hooghe, P., Hunt, K. (eds) Muscle and Tendon Injuries. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54184-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54184-5_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-54183-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-54184-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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