![]() ![]() The scar tissue is inferior in mechanical properties due to the predominant presence of type III collagen, whereas healthy tendon tissue mainly consists of type I collagen. It is important to note that the original mechanical properties are never fully restored after tendon repair due to scar tissue formation around the healing site. The success and effectiveness of these traditional repair techniques are mostly linked to the degree of undesired postoperative adhesion formation between surrounding tissue and the healing site. Unfortunately, none of these traditional techniques accomplish a long-term adequate solution for postoperative complications such as infection, wear, tendon scar tissue formation, mechanical failure, and excessive adhesion formation. So far, multiple therapeutic reconstruction techniques such as suturing, auto-, allo-, and xenograft or replacement with a synthetic prosthesis have been used. In addition, flexor tendons have an extended healing period of up to 12 weeks due to their limited blood flow and hypocellularity. Therefore, it should be noted that flexor tendons cannot undergo spontaneous healing and operational procedures are almost always required. However, the speed at which this happens is greatly outpaced by the own capacity of accumulating further damage. Injured flexor tendons will exhibit a biological attempt to heal the inflicted damage. A trauma impact directly to the hand could also lead to such an injury. Athletes, construction workers, military personnel, and others who make repetitive movements have a greater risk of injuring the flexor tendon by tearing or rupturing. Hand tendon traumas comprise approximately 10% of all emergency department visits and up to 20% of all injuries treated. Since tendons are subjected to repeated motions and degeneration over time, they are vulnerable to acute and chronic injuries. Connecting muscle to bone provides strength and stability, the ability to withstand tension, transmit forces, and release stored energy. The flexor digitorum superficialis, or in short, the flexor tendon, is an irreplaceable part of the human body. In addition, the review also focuses on the incorporation of active compounds in these constructs, to provide an enhanced healing environment for the flexor tendon. This review mainly describes the polymer-based constructs that show promising results in solving these complications, in the hope that one day these will be used as a routine practice in flexor tendon repair, increasing the well-being of the patients. Understanding the role such constructs play in tendon repair should enable a more targeted approach. Various researchers have tried to develop innovative strategies for developing a polymer-based construct that minimalizes these postoperative complications, yet none are routinely used in clinical practice. ![]() Postoperative complications, arising after traditional tendon repair strategies, include adhesion and tendon scar tissue formation, insufficient mechanical strength for early active mobilization, and infections. However, the healing of injured flexor tendons is stretched over a long period of up to 12 weeks, therefore, remaining a significant clinical problem. ![]() A flexor tendon injury is acquired fast and is common for athletes, construction workers, and military personnel among others, treated in the emergency department. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |