Tendon And Ligament Healing

In 25 years of practicing structural/osteopathic manual therapy the author has done considerable work with seriously damaged tendons and ligaments, and has achieved results that conventional medicine would rate as improbable. Over time, he has developed a therapeutic model for treating these injuries so that individuals with chronic conditions -- who have exhausted the standard physiotherapy options and are facing surgery -- can have a viable option for recovery. His techniques, based on basic principles of structural healthcare, emphasize the importance of precise anatomical focus and the capacity to work with subtle changes of structure. Of essential importance is combining detailed specific treatment of the small fibers and tissues of the local injury area with an overall approach to improving larger body patterns and tensions. Logically, the responsiveness and self-corrective capacity of body tissues when given proper conditions is also an important factor. The primary techniques used are the osteopathic methods of strain-counterstrain, cranial and visceral osteopathy, and fascial release, as well as body-mind centering, zero balancing, and acupressure. His clinical model, which represents a new approach to serious, chronic tendon and ligament injuries, is based on these techniques, their combinations and specific usage, and the skills and aptitudes necessary for applying these techniques, including certain perceptual skills and a thorough knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology. Weintraub's descriptions are vital, interesting, alive, absorbing, even dramatic. He discusses at great length the nature of the tendons and ligaments, describes his manual therapy model -- comparing it with conventional medical procedures -- and covers processes and tissue changes in tendon/ligament healing as related to manual therapy. Case studies, self-help strategies, and thoughtful words on clinical efficacy and future directions in the field make for a thorough and well-rounded presentation. (Product Description).

Tendon ailments are a significant cause of morbidity among athletes of all levels and are increasing in prevalence. Their management is often empirical, and para-scientific, only looking at the biological aspects of tendon ailments. This book conveys a comprehensive and concise body of knowledge on the management of tendon problems in sportspeople with practical details of clinical protocols. Tendon Injuries: Basic Science and Clinical Medicine is specifically dedicated to the clinical aspects of tendinopathy and provides the required knowledge and scientific basis for the sports medicine practitioner, orthopedic specialist and student facing upper and lower limb tendon ailments in athletes. A comprehensive review of tendon disorders is given and modern criteria of management outlined to form the basis of effective clinical management of this group of patients.

A comprehensive and authoritative review of the most important scientific and clinically relevant topics today in ligaments, tendons, and capsular biology, including their biomechanics and surgical reconstruction. The authors review the basic science of tendons in the hand and shoulder ligaments, the current clinical status of the shoulder and cruciate ligaments, and the latest advances in research on the healing of ligament and tendon to bone, artificial ligaments, and gene therapy. They also cover the major type 1 collagen soft tissues that are of particular interest to upper extremity surgeons and sports medicine specialists.

Tendon Regeneration: Understanding Tissue Physiology and Development to Engineer Functional Substitutes is the first book to highlight the multi-disciplinary nature of this specialized field and the importance of collaboration between medical and engineering laboratories in the development of tissue-oriented products for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies. Beginning with a foundation in developmental biology, the book explores physiology, pathology, and surgical reconstruction, providing guidance on biological approaches that enhances tendon regeneration practices. Contributions from scientists, clinicians, and engineers who are the leading figures in their respective fields present recent findings in tendon stem cells, cell therapies, and scaffold treatments, as well as examples of pre-clinical models for translational therapies and a view of the future of the field. Provides an overview of tendon biology, disease, and tissue engineering approaches Presents modern, alternative approaches to developing functional tissue solutions discussed Includes valuable information for those interested in tissue engineering, tissue regeneration, tissue physiology, and regenerative medicine Explores physiology, pathology, and surgical reconstruction, building a natural progression that enhances tendon regeneration practices Covers recent findings in tendon stem cells, cell therapies, and scaffold treatments, as well as examples of pre-clinical models for translational therapies and a view of the future of the field

Biomechanics of Tendons and Ligaments: Tissue Reconstruction looks at the structure and function of tendons and ligaments. Biological and synthetic biomaterials for their reconstruction and regeneration are reviewed, and their biomechanical performance is discussed. Regeneration tendons and ligaments are soft connective tissues which are essential for the biomechanical function of the skeletal system. These tissues are often prone to injuries which can range from repetition and overuse, to tears and ruptures. Understanding the biomechanical properties of ligaments and tendons is essential for their repair and regeneration. Contains systematic coverage on how both healthy and injured tendons and ligaments work Includes coverage of repair and regeneration strategies for tendons and ligaments Presents an Interdisciplinary analysis on the topic

Tendons heal through three different overlapping phases; the inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phase. Many studies have investigated what factors influence healing of tendons. However, little was known about inflammation and the immune cells present during Achilles tendon healing by the time this thesis started. We developed a flow cytometry method for our rat model of tendon healing, which enabled us to study different leukocyte subpopulations during Achilles tendon healing. The general aim of this thesis was to understand more about inflammation and the immune cell populations present during tendon healing and how the immune cell composition changes during normal tendon healing. Moreover, we investigated how different factors that are known to influence tendon healing affected the composition of the immune cell population. First, we described the immune cells during the time course of tendon healing focusing on different subpopulations of macrophages and T cells. Then, we studied how these cells were influenced by reduced mechanical loading. Mechanical loading prolonged the presence of M1 macrophages and delayed the switch to regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages compared to reduced mechanical loading. Next, the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the leukocyte composition revealed that, even though NSAIDs influence the mechanical properties of healing tendon, this effect was not mediated via changes in the leukocyte sub-populations during early and mid-time tendon healing. Further, the effect of corticosteroids during the inflammatory and remodeling phases of tendon healing was an improved healing of tendons and a reduction of CD8a T cells when corticosteroid was administered after the inflammatory phase. Lastly, we investigated if impairment of tendon healing by NSAIDs was related to mechanotransduction or microdamage during mechanical loading and showed that NSAIDs impair tendon healing by reducing the response to microdamage. In conclusion, these studies show that inflammation plays an important role during Achilles tendon healing, and factors that influence healing can also alter the presence or polarization of immune cell populations.

Mankind has reached its present physical form through evolution of the movement system. Muscles, bones, and joints are the most important components of the movement system. Muscles are active elements, while bones and joints are passive elements. But to bring about movement, these three elements must work together. Tendons are round, oval, or flat tissues that connect muscles to bones. Muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries prevent motion so this is an important issue in trauma. If muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries occur together with vessel or nerve injury, it may be life threatening. The cause of injury might differ from a simple sports injury to a serious traffic accident. Muscles, bones, and joints have taken their place in the literature, but it would be wrong to say the same for tendons. This book describes tendons from different perspectives, thus providing the missing information in the literature. I hope that this book will be useful for anyone who wants to read about new perspectives on tendons. I also hope that it will inspire researchers working in this field.

Pushed by the progress of biology, technology and biomechanics, knee surgery has dramatically evolved in the last decades. This book is a "state of the art" concerning all aspects of knee surgery from ligament reconstruction to Total Knee Arthroplasty. An international panel of renowned authors have worked on this didactic fully illustrated book. It will help young surgeons to understand basic sciences and modern sugical techniques. The experienced surgeon will find help to deal with difficult cases and clarifications in recent technologic advances such as cartilage surgery, navigation and mini invasive surgery.