 |
|
 |
|
Sports Medicine Studies
- Effect of botulinum toxin on tendon protection following repair –
- Botulinum toxin is being used in this experiment to provide protection for Achilles tendon repair in rats. The ankle is fixed for 48 hours following repair and allowed free range of motion afterward. Botulinum toxin is found to protect the tendon repair from rupture and stretch while maintaining joint mobility.
- Mechanism of action of cryotherapy on edema following contusion –
- Cryotherapy is used to treat soft-tissue contusions but the mechanism of action for reducing edema remains unclear. Studies have determined that a fundamental action of cryotherapy is to reduce leukocyte/endothelial interactions. This is temporally associated with a reduction in endothelial permeability. Current research is studying the mechanism of action for the reduction in leukocyte/endothelial interactions. A rodent model utilizing a chronically implanted striated muscle microvascular chamber to directly visualize the leukocyte/endothelial interactions and microvascular leakage of macromolecules is employed in these studies.
- Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in an ovine model –
- This ovine model of ACL repair has been designed to compare the biomechanical and physiologic integration of various types of allografts and autografts. In addition, various types of fixation techniques can be compared using this model.
- Creation of a biological meniscus replacement in vitro using allograft meniscus matrices seeded with meniscus fibrochondrocytes
Isolated inner and outer populations of meniscus fibrochondrocytes represent a source of autologous cells that can be expanded in primary culture and seeded onto a decellularized collagen meniscus allograft scaffold to create a compatible and viable biologic meniscus replacement.
- A tissue-engineered approach to Achilles tendon allograft optimization for improved clinical outcomes in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The revascularization and repopulation of transplanted freeze-dried Achilles tendon allograft has been shown to occur in a slow, heterogenous manner. It is believed that this occurs as a result of residual cellular material embedded in the dense extracellular matrix of the graft that retards cell host infiltration and diffusion of nutrients. Protocols have been developed to efficiently decellularize dense tissues in order to structurally modify the extracellular matrix and dramatically increase their porosity. Theoretically, this increased porosity will encourage more rapid ingrowth of cells into the graft and facilitate healing.
|
|
|
|
|