Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 8, 2026
Biomechanical Testing of Murine Tendons
Published on: October 15, 2019
Mechanical Testing of a Synthetic Canine Gastrocnemius Tendon Implant
Mark A Morton1, Richard G Whitelock1, John F Innes2
1Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm Business Park, Higham Gobion, Hertfordshire, UK.
Objective:
To test a polyethylene terephthalate prosthesis (STIF, Chenove, France) for gastrocnemius tendon repair in dogs (cadaver model).
Study Design:
In vitro mechanical study.
Animals:
Pelvic limbs (n = 8) from 4 recently euthanatized adult dogs (weighing 30-45 kg).
Methods:
Proximally the implant was sutured at the myotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius and distally secured in a 4.5 mm blind ending tunnel in the medullary cavity of the calcaneus using an interference screw (STIF, Chenove, France). Proximal and distal fixation were tested independently using an electrodynamic testing machine (Electropuls 3000, Instron, UK).
Results:
Mean ± SD failure loads for the proximal fixation (266.13 ± 43.88 N) was significantly less than for the distal fixation (649.25 ± 210.36 N; P = .042, paired t-test). Mean stiffness of the proximal and distal constructs were 19.08 ± 8.16 N/mm and 139.76 ± 24.51 N/mm, respectively.
Conclusions:
Failure loads exceeded the values reported after experimental repair of chronic gastrocnemius tendon injuries using other methods involving suturing tendon to bone. Failure of this repair method clinically is predicted to occur proximally at the level of the myotendinous junction.
