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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Apr 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Hand Ther. 2011 Sep 17;25(2):133–141. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2011.07.004

Table 1.

The differential effects of mechanical loading on tendons.

Mechanical
Load Level		 Effects on tendon
Low

  • ↓ tensile strength

  • ↓ size

  • ↓ collagen production

  • ↓ anabolic activities

  • ↑ catabolic activities
Moderate

  • ↑ tensile strength

  • ↑ collagen synthesis

  • ↓ collagen degradation

  • ↓ adhesions

  • ↓ inflammatory mediator (e.g., PGE2)

  • ↑ TSCs differentiating into tenocytes
Excessive

  • ↓ tensile strength

  • ↓ collagen organization

  • ↑ myofibroblasts

  • ↑ inflammatory mediators

  • ↑ TSCs differentiating into non-tenocytes (adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes)

  • ↑ leukotrienes (↑ edema)