Cross-sectional area measurements for tendon specimens: a comparison of several methods

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Ellis, Donald G.¹

Cross-sectional area measurements for tendon specimens: a comparison of several methods

J Biomech. 1969;2(2):175-186

Affiliations

¹Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104, U.S.A.
Abstract

Several methods for measuring cross-sectional areas of cat extensor digitorum communis tendons, were evaluated in terms of repeatability. Estimates of correction factors to be used in relating measurements by different methods were also obtained. The measurements examined included: (1) moist specimen weight per unit length, (2) moist specimen displacement volume per unit length, (3) dry specimen weight per unit length, (4) dry specimen displacement volume per unit length, (5) area measured with an area micrometer similar in principle to the instrument described by Walker et al. (1964), (6) area by shadow amplitude contour reconstruction, and (7) planimeter measurements on photomicrographs of histological sections. The results obtained suggested that dry specimen weight per unit length could be expected to yield the most repeatable single measurements for cross-sectional areas of tendon specimens. For measurements of fresh, moist specimens, gravimetric methods and measurements with the area micrometer were found roughly comparable in repeatability and better than shadow amplitude contour reconstruction. The area micrometer measurements seemed less sensitive to slight drying of the specimen, but were considerably influenced by the pressure applied to the specimen during measurement. Comparisons of the values for cross-sectional area obtained by the various methods showed significant systematic differences, with several pairs of methods giving measurements which differed by factors of 2 or more. Measurements by methods which were more or less local in nature demonstrated sizable regional variations in cross-sectional areas of the specimens even though they had a relatively uniform appearance.
Links

DOI: 10.1016/0021-9290(69)90029-3

PubMed: 16335102

WoS: A1969D337300006
History

Received: 1968-10-22

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1988	Lanzendorf EJ, Murphy MC, Mann RW. Measurement of ligament tissue cross-sectional area. In: Proceedings of the 1988 14th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference. March 10-11, 1988:22-25.
1972	Crisp JDC. Properties of tendon and skin. In: Fung YC, Perrone N, Anliker M, eds. Biomechanics: Its Foundations and Objectives. Symposium on Biomechanics, its Foundations and Objectives; July 29-31, 1970. Englewood Cliff, NJ: Inc., Prentice-Hall International; 1972:141-179.
1990	Woo SL-Y, Weiss JA, MacKenna DA. Biomechanics and morphology of the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments. In: Mow VC, Ratcliffe A, Woo SL-Y, eds. Biomechanics of Diarthrodial Joints. Vol 1. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990:63-104.
1998	Martin RB, Burr DB, Sharkey NA. Skeletal Tissue Mechanics. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1998.
1988	Siegler S, Block J, Schenck CD. The mechanical characteristics of the collateral ligaments of the human ankle joint. Foot Ankle. April 1988;8(5):234-242.
1984	Butler DL, Grood ES, Noyes FR, Zernicke RF, Brackett K. Effects of structure and strain measurement technique on the material properties of young human tendons and fascia. J Biomech. 1984;17(8):579-596.
1987	Iaconis F, Steindler R, Marinozzi G. Measurements of cross-sectional area of collagen structures (knee ligaments) by means of an optical method. J Biomech. 1987;20(10):1003-1010.
1990	Monleón Pradas M, Diaz Calleja R. Nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour of the flexor tendon of the human hand. J Biomech. 1990;23(8):773-781.
1996	Race A, Amis AA. Cross-sectional area measurement of soft tissue: a new casting method. J Biomech. September 1996;29(9):1207-1212.
2005	Hashemi J, Chandrashekar N, Cowden C, Slauterbeck J. An alternative method of anthropometry of anterior cruciate ligament through 3-D digital image reconstruction. J Biomech. May 2005;38(3):551-555.
1981	Woo SL-Y, Gomez MA, Amiel D, Ritter MA, Gelberman RH, Akeson WH. The effects of exercise on the biomechanical and biochemical properties of swine digital flexor tendons. J Biomech Eng. February 1981;103(1):51-56.
1988	Shrive NG, Lam TC, Damson E, Frank CB. A new method of measuring the cross-sectional area of connective tissue structures. J Biomech Eng. May 1988;110(2):104-109.
1988	Lee TQ, Woo SL-Y. A new method for determining cross-sectional shape and area of soft tissues. J Biomech Eng. May 1988;110(2):110-114.
1990	Woo SL-Y, Danto MI, Ohland KJ, Lee TQ, Newton PO. The use of a laser micrometer system to determine the cross-sectional shape and area of ligaments: a comparative study with two existing methods. J Biomech Eng. November 1990;112(4):426-431.
1976	Noyes FR, Grood ES. The strength of the anterior cruciate ligament in humans and Rhesus monkeys. J Bone Joint Surg. 1976;58A(8):1074-1082.
1984	Noyes FR, Butler DL, Grood ES, Zernicke RF, Hefzy MS. Biomechanical analysis of human ligament grafts used in knee-ligament repairs and reconstructions. J Bone Joint Surg. March 1984;66A(3):344-352.
2020	Hexter AT, Shahbazi S, Thangarajah T, Kalaskar D, Haddad FS, Blunn G. Characterisation of the tensile properties of demineralised cortical bone when used as an anterior cruciate ligament allograft. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. October 2020;110:103981.
2023	Lake SP, Snedeker JG, Wang VM, Awad H, Screen HRC, Thomopoulos S. Guidelines for ex vivo mechanical testing of tendon. J Orthop Res. October 2023;41(10):2105-2113.
1999	Bull AMJ. Measurement and Computer Simulation of Knee Kinematics [PhD thesis]. Imperial College London; 1999.
2011	Villegas-Bermudez DF. Biomechanics of Meniscal Horn Attachments [PhD thesis]. Houghton, MI: Michigan Technological University; 2011.
2005	Chandrashekar NK. Sex-Based Difference in the Morphology, Tensile Properties and Ultrastructure of the Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Patellar Tendon [PhD thesis]. Lubboch, TX: Texas Tech University; December 2005.
1988	Lam T. The Mechanical Properties of the Maturing Medial Collateral Ligament [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; March 1988.
1999	Young D. Quantification of Patellar Tendon Biomechanical Properties: In Vitro and in Situ [Master's thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; January 1999.
2008	Pokhai GG. The Development of a Laser Reflectance System to Measure the Cross-Sectional Area of Soft Tissues [Master's thesis]. University of Guelph; June 2008.
2011	Weber JF. Mechanical Property Quantification of Tendons Using Improved Methodologies [Master's thesis]. University of Guelph; February 2011.
2006	Favata M. Scarless Healing in the Fetus: Implications and Strategies for Postnatal Tendon Repair [PhD thesis]. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania; 2006.