Simultaneous measurements of strains on two surfaces of tendons and ligaments

An optical rear projection device, coupled with a video dimensional analyzer (VDA) system, was developed for simultaneous measurement of tensile strains on opposite surfaces of tendons and ligaments. Stress-strain behaviors of the tissue based on the strains measured on either surface were determined and compared. Data obtained from canine femur-medial collateral ligament-tibia complexes (FMT) and isolated chicken flexor tendons revealed that the strains on opposite surfaces of these parallel fiber soft connective tissues were similar during a uniaxial tensile test.