Dowling B A, Dart A J
University Veterinary Centre Camden, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
Vet J. 2005 Sep;170(2):184-92. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.03.021.
The in vitro and in vivo mechanical properties of the superficial digital flexor tendon have been described. To date the focus has been on single load to failure testing, however refined in vivo methods may prove useful to evaluate the effects of treatment and exercise on tendons. During maximal exercise, the adult superficial digital flexor tendon operates close to its functional limits with a narrow biomechanical safety margin. This combined with exercise and age associated microdamage, and a limited adaptive ability may increase the risk of fatigue failure. Studies evaluating treatment regimens for tendonitis have focused on repair and regeneration and yielded varying results. It would appear that the superficial digital flexor tendon has a limited ability if any to adapt positively to exercise after maturity. In contrast, the foal's superficial digital flexor tendon may have a greater adaptive ability and may respond to an appropriate exercise regimen to produce a more functionally adapted tendon. Recent studies have shown that foals allowed free pasture exercise develop a larger, stronger, more elastic tendon compared to foals that were confined or subjected to a training program. Effects on the non-collagenous matrix appear to be responsible for these differences. In contrast, training or excess exercise may have permanent detrimental effects on the biomechanical and functional properties of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the foal. The implication is that the determination of optimum exercise intensity and timing, and the role of the non-collagenous matrix in tendon physiology in the young horse may hold the key to developing tendons more capable of resisting injury.
已对指浅屈肌腱的体外和体内力学特性进行了描述。迄今为止，重点一直是单次破坏载荷测试，然而，改进的体内方法可能被证明有助于评估治疗和运动对肌腱的影响。在最大运动期间，成年指浅屈肌腱在接近其功能极限的情况下运行，生物力学安全 margin 狭窄。这与运动和年龄相关的微损伤以及有限的适应能力相结合，可能会增加疲劳失效的风险。评估肌腱炎治疗方案的研究主要集中在修复和再生方面，结果各不相同。似乎指浅屈肌腱在成熟后积极适应运动的能力有限，如果有的话。相比之下，幼驹的指浅屈肌腱可能具有更大的适应能力，并且可能对适当的运动方案做出反应，以产生功能上更适应的肌腱。最近的研究表明，与被限制或接受训练计划的幼驹相比，允许自由放牧运动的幼驹会发育出更大、更强壮、更有弹性的肌腱。对非胶原蛋白基质的影响似乎是造成这些差异的原因。相比之下，训练或过度运动可能会对幼驹指浅屈肌腱的生物力学和功能特性产生永久性的不利影响。这意味着确定最佳运动强度和时间，以及非胶原蛋白基质在幼驹肌腱生理学中的作用，可能是培育更能抵抗损伤的肌腱的关键。
