Effects of freeze/thaw conditioning on the tensile properties and failure mode of bone-muscle-bone units:​ a biomechanical and histological study in dogs

Gottsauner-Wolf, Florian<sup>1</sup>; Grabowski, John J.<sup>1</sup>; Chao, Edmund Y. S.<sup>1</sup>; An, Kai-Nan<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic/Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

Abstract

Eight pairs of canine supraspinatus bone-muscle-bone units were mechanically tested to failure in tension. One side was tested immediately post mortem, and the other side was tested after exposure to a standard freeze/thaw process (-60°C). The failure site was analyzed histologically. Fresh specimens had greater values for ultimate strength (p < 0.001), stiffness (p < 0.001), and energy to failure (p < 0.001). All specimens failed in the muscle close to the musculotendinous junction. The length of muscles subjected to the freezing process was reduced (9.3%). In addition, the load-displacement curves for the fresh and frozen specimens showed marked differences in shape. The loss of tensile strength in muscle tissue is due to damage of the intracellular contractile elements caused by postmortem autolysis; this type of damage is increased as a result of the freeze/thaw process. The freeze/thaw process significantly altered the tensile properties of normal muscle tissue, no matter how carefully it was done. One cannot expect to receive representative data if muscle is frozen and thawed.

Links

DOI: 10.1002/jor.1100130114

PubMed: 7853109

WoS: A1995QG26900013

History

Received: 1993-06-29

Accepted: 1994-02-17

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Cited By (13)

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2012	Gras LL, Laporte S, Mitton D, Crevier‐Denoix N, Viot P. Tensile tests on a muscle: influence of experimental conditions and of velocity on its passive response. In: Proceedings of the 2012 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 12-14, 2012; Dublin, Ireland.515-523.
2005	Yliniemi EM, Pellettiere JA, Doczy EJ, Nuckley DJ, Ching RP. Dynamic tensile neck injury tolerance. In: Proceedings of the 1st Ohio State University Injury Biomechanics Symposium. May 19-21, 2005; Columbus, OH.
1995	Myers BS, Van Ee CA, Camacho DLA, Woolley CT, Best TM. On the structural and material properties of mammalian skeletal muscle and its relevance to human cervical impact dynamics. In: Proceedings of the 39th Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 8-10, 1995; San Diego, CA. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:203-214. SAE 952723.
1998	Van Ee CA, Chasse AL, Myers BS. The effect of postmortem time and freezer storage on the mechanical properties of skeletal muscle. In: Proceedings of the 42nd Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 2-4, 1998; Tempa, AZ. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:169-. SAE 983155.
2006	Arbogast KB, Maltese MR, Nadkarni VM, Steen PA, Nysaether JB. Anterior-posterior thoracic force-deflection characteristics measured during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: comparison to post-mortem human subject data. Stapp Car Crash J. 2006;50:131-145. SAE 2006-22-0006.
2006	Dibb AT, Nightingale RW, Chancey VC, Fronheiser LE, Tran L, Ottaviano D, Myers BS. Comparative structural neck responses of the THOR-NT, Hybrid III, and human in combined tension-bending and pure bending. Stapp Car Crash J. 2006;50:567-581. SAE 2006-22-0021.
2000	Van Ee CA, Chasse AL, Myers BS. Quantifying skeletal muscle properties in cadaveric test specimens: effects of mechanical loading, postmortem time, and freezer storage. J Biomech Eng. February 2000;122(1):9-14.
1998	Seki S, Iwamoto H. Disruptive forces for swine heart, liver, and spleen: their breaking stresses. J Trauma. December 1998;45(6):1079-1083.
2000	Van Ee CA. Tensile Properties of the Human Muscular and Ligamentous Cervical Spine [PhD thesis]. Duke University; 2000.
1998	Lau JTC. The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Release and Stabilization Procedures on Tibial Nerve Tension in a Surgically Created Pes Planus Foot [Master's thesis]. University of Toronto; 1998.
2017	Levine IC. The Effects of Body Composition and Body Configuration on Impact Dynamics During Lateral Falls: Insights from in-Vivo, in-Vitro, and in-Silico Approaches [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2017.
2019	Pilarczyk BM. Contributions of Muscle, Skin, and Adipose Tissue to Indentation Response, Assessed With Computational Arm Model Under Quasi-Static Conditions [Master's thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2019.
2005	Yliniemi EM. Dynamic Tensile Neck Injury: A Post Mortem Human Study [PhD thesis]. Seattle, WA: University of Washington; 2005.