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PubMed1980

Capillary density of tenotomized skeletal muscles. I. Experimental study in the rat.

Our purpose was to study the capillary density of rat gastrocnemius muscle by microangiography 7-21 days after achillotenotomy or immobilization in a plaster cast. Sixteen animals were tenotomized, 12 immobilized in a plaster cast, and 4 served as controls. The number of capillaries was counted per 1,000 muscle fibres from each sample. No site differences were found in control muscles, where on an average 1,250 capillaries per 1,000 muscle fibers were found. After tenotomy the number of capillaries was decreased 35%, 31%, and 32% on days 7, 14, and 21, respectively. In immobilized muscles the decrease in capillary density occurred slowly, the corresponding decrease being 23%, 33%, and 28% on days 7, 14, and 21, respectively. These results indicate that the capillary density of muscular tissue is greatly decreased following the disuse produced by tenotomy or immobilization.

Achilles Tendon↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of recreational sport activity in Achilles tendon rupture. A clinical, pathoanatomical, and sociological study of 292 cases.

During the last few decades, the incidence of tendon ruptures has increased in civilized countries. Our material comprises 749 patients who had 832 tendon ruptures treated surgically between 1972 and 1985. There were no competitive athletes among the patients studied. There were 292 single ruptures of the Achilles tendon, 274 of the proximal biceps brachii, 113 of the extensor pollicis longus, and 70 of other tendons. Forty-eight patients had multiple ruptures and 35 patients had reruptures. Achilles tendon ruptures often occurred in recreational sports activities (59%), in contrast to other tendon ruptures (2%; P less than 0.001). The mean age for patients who had Achilles tendon rupture was 35.2 years and for patients with other ruptures, 50.7 years (P less than 0.001). There was a connection between the high incidence of blood group O and tendon ruptures (P less than 0.001). In cases of multiple ruptures and reruptures, the frequency of blood group O was 71%. Sixty-two point three percent of the patients with Achilles tendon rupture were professionals or white collar workers, which is markedly more than in the Hungarian population (12.7%; P less than 0.001). Two hundred and six Achilles tendon ruptures were studied histologically, and all cases displayed pathological alterations. The results indicate that complete rupture of the Achilles tendon is usually a sequel to a sedentary life-style and participation in sports activities.

Achilles Tendon↗