[Effects of immobilization on the mechanical properties of rabbit patellar tendon]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immobilization on the mechanical properties of rabbit patellar tendon(PT). IN this study, the rabbit knee was immobilized in extension for 6 weeks, then the mechanical properteis of PT were investigated. The results showed that the stress-strain relationship of PT could be expressed with exponential functions, and there were significant differeces between the normal group and the immobilized group in their theoretical curves of stress-strain relationship and two material constants of PT. Also, significant differences were found in tensile strength and tangent modulus between the two groups, but the maximum load of PT in the immobilized group did not decrease significantly. On the basis of the findings listed above, it is believed that PT would remodel and change its mechanical properties in response to the changes of mechanical stress exerted on it when the knee is immobilized.