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VALIDATION OF AN OPTICAL METHOD FOR MEASURING THE GAP BETWEEN SUTURED TENDON STUMPS
Luiz Sorrenti1, Elcio Koodiro Yoshida1, Antonio Isidoro de Sousa1
1Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clinicas, (HC-FMUSP), Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hand Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery Group, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Acta Ortopedica Brasileira
|July 25, 2026
Summary
An optical method using backlight video analysis accurately measured tendon stump gap distances. This validated a precise new technique for biomechanical studies, showing errors in the hundredths of a millimeter.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Optical Measurement Techniques
- Surgical Research
Background:
- Accurate measurement of gap distances between tendon stumps is crucial in biomechanical studies.
- Existing methods may have limitations in precision and accuracy.
- A novel optical method offers potential for improved gap distance assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy and precision of a backlight video analysis optical method.
- To measure gap distances between tendon stumps in a rigid tendon model.
- To validate this new optical technique for biomechanical applications.
Main Methods:
- A 3D-printed rigid tendon model was used, subjected to traction.
- Backlight video analysis captured frontal and lateral plane views of the tendon gap.
- Custom software calculated gap distances, compared against a mechanical testing machine.
Main Results:
- The optical method demonstrated high accuracy with minimal bias (-0.01 mm frontal, 0.04 mm lateral).
- Excellent precision was confirmed with narrow limits of agreement (0.04 mm frontal, 0.06 mm lateral).
- Measurements across planes showed a perfect correlation (Spearman's rho = 1.000, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- The optical method is precise and accurate for measuring tendon gap distances.
- Errors were on the order of hundredths of a millimeter.
- This validates a new, reliable method for biomechanical tendon research.
