FIG. 3.
Injury induction, surgical reconstruction and gross pathology. Two cm (A) of the Achilles apparatus discarded (B) and modified Kessler pattern was applied (C) in the remaining edges to maintain the gap at its 2 cm length. Collagen (D) and Collagen-polydioxanone sheath (PDS) (E) prosthesis were implanted in the defect area. At 60 days post injury (DPI), the injured control tendons (ICTs) had a marked hyperemia and a loose areolar connective tissue formed in the defect area (FL). Compared to their intact tendons (FR), these tendons showed lower diameter with diagnostic muscle atrophy and fibrosis (FL). At this stage the treated tendons with collagen (GL) and collagen-PDS (HL) prostheses, had transverse diameter comparable to their intact tendons (GR, HR). These tendons were tendinous in nature and no hyperemia and peritendinous adhesions were seen (GL, HL). Compared to their intact tendons (GR, HR) and their control tendons (FL), the amount of muscle fibrosis and atrophy was reduced in the collagen tendons (GL vs. GR) but these factors were more reduced in the collagen-PDS tendons (HL vs. HR). Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea