CDMP-2 injection improves early tendon healing in a rabbit model for surgical repair

This study examines the hypothesis that cartilage-derived morphogenic protein-2 (CDMP-2) can improve tendon healing after surgical repair. We have previously found improved tendon healing by applying CDMP-2 in models for conservative treatment with mechanically loaded Achilles tendon defects in rats and rabbits. In this study, the patellar tendon was unloaded by patello- tibial cerclage and cut transversely in 40 rabbits. Two hours post-operative, the rabbits received a dose of 20 microg of CDMP-2 or vehicle injected into the hematoma. Specimens were harvested after 14 and 28 days and evaluated by biomechanical testing, radiography and histology. At 14 days, CDMP-2 caused a 65% increase in force at failure, a 50% increase in ultimate stress and a 57% increase in stiffness, as compared with controls. There was no effect on callus size. At 28 days, no differences between the treatment groups could be demonstrated. No bone or cartilage was found in any tendon or regenerated tissue at any time point. Thus, early tendon repair can be stimulated by CDMP-2 in an unloaded model. These results suggest that CDMP-2 might be of interest for clinical use as a complement to surgical treatment of tendon ruptures.