Effect of treadmill training on fibrocartilage complex repair in tendon-bone insertion healing in the postinflammatory stage

Abstract

AimsMechanical stimulation is a key factor in the development and healing of tendon-bone insertion. Treadmill training is an important rehabilitation treatment. This study aims to investigate the benefits of treadmill training initiated on postoperative day 7 for tendon-bone insertion healing.MethodsA tendon-bone insertion injury healing model was established in 92 C57BL/6 male mice. All mice were divided into control and training groups by random digital table method. The control group mice had full free activity in the cage, and the training group mice started the treadmill training on postoperative day 7. The quality of tendon-bone insertion healing was evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, micro-CT, micro-MRI, open field tests, and CatWalk gait and biomechanical assessments.ResultsOur results showed a significantly higher tendon-bone insertion histomorphological score in the training group, and the messenger RNA and protein expression levels of type II collagen (COL2A1), SOX9, and type X collagen (COL10A1) were significantly elevated. Additionally, tendon-bone insertion resulted in less scar hyperplasia after treadmill training, the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) were significantly improved, and the force required to induce failure became stronger in the training group. Functionally, the motor ability, limb stride length, and stride frequency of mice with tendon-bone insertion injuries were significantly improved in the training group compared with the control group.ConclusionTreadmill training initiated on postoperative day 7 is beneficial to tendon-bone insertion healing, promoting biomechanical strength and motor function. Our findings are expected to guide clinical rehabilitation training programmes.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(5):339–351.

CatWalk XT Gait Parameters Associated with Mouse Achilles Tendon Injury and Healing

“…As of December 2023, a PubMed literature search for "Catwalk XT AND tendon" yielded only 8 research articles. The Achilles tendon was the focus of 5 out of 8 articles, and partial transection injury was the most commonly studied (13)(14)(15)(16). Other tendons examined in the remaining 3 articles included rotator cuff and flexor digitorum longus (17)(18)(19).…”

Chronological Changes in the Expression and Localization of Sox9 between Achilles Tendon Injury and Functional Recovery in Mice

“…In addition, the hedgehog coreceptor Smoothened is significantly involved in the differentiation of Sox9 into cartilage and bone during bone regeneration [23]. Although the regenerative processes of ligaments and enthesis have been assessed in the past, few studies have examined the involvement of Sox9 in tendon regeneration [24][25][26]. Much remains unknown about the timing of Sox9 expression and its localization during healing in tendons.…”