Equine tendon mechanical behaviour: Prospects for repair and regeneration applications.
Authors: Shojaee
Journal: Veterinary medicine and science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Understanding equine tendon mechanics and mechanobiology has become increasingly critical for improving treatment outcomes, as current interventions for tendon injuries frequently fail to restore full function. Shojaee's 2023 review synthesises current knowledge of tendon mechanical properties alongside recent mechanobiological findings, with particular emphasis on the biomechanical distinctions between energy-storing tendons (such as the superficial digital flexor) and positional tendons, recognising that these tissue types respond differently to loading forces. Mechanical forces fundamentally regulate tendon biology at every level—from gene expression through to structural remodelling—meaning that optimising loading protocols could theoretically enhance both injury prevention and healing outcomes. The review explores how bioreactor systems can apply controlled mechanical loading to promote tenogenic differentiation in tissue engineering applications, offering a pathway to overcome the limitations of conventional treatments such as box rest and rehabilitation that often result in incomplete recovery. For practitioners involved in rehabilitation, farriery and performance management, this work underscores the evidence base for carefully graduated loading strategies during recovery and highlights regenerative medicine as a genuinely promising frontier for managing otherwise intractable tendon injuries in performance horses.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Understanding tendon mechanobiology and how mechanical forces influence healing can guide more effective rehabilitation protocols for tendon injuries in practice
- •Different tendon types (energy-storing vs. positional) require tailored treatment strategies based on their distinct biomechanical properties
- •Tissue engineering and controlled mechanical loading represent emerging alternatives that may improve outcomes beyond current standard treatments for problematic tendon cases
Key Findings
- •Mechanical forces are implicated in all aspects of tendon biology and influence injury response and healing outcomes
- •Equine energy-storing and positional tendons have distinct biomechanical parameters that require specific understanding for treatment approaches
- •Tendon tissue engineering offers potential to overcome limitations of current treatment options for tendon injuries
- •Mechanical loading in bioreactor systems can promote tenogenic differentiation and may accelerate tendon healing