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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Orthop Res. 2015 Mar 2;33(6):832–839. doi: 10.1002/jor.22806

Table 1.

Animal models for studying tendon healing.

Research Question Animal Models
Basic Mechanisms of Chronic Tendon Injury Models of Inducing Chronic Tendon Injury (Mouse, Rat, Rabbit, Sheep)

  • Uphill or downhill treadmill running

  • Controlled fatigue loading under anesthesia

  • Partial laceration

  • Collagenase injection
Basic Mechanisms of Tendon Healing Models of Tendon Healing (Mouse, Rat, Rabbit)
A) Intra-tendinous healing following injury induced by:

  • Sharp or blunt transection

  • Punch biopsy or window defect

  • Needle stick

  • Collagenase injection


B) Tendon-bone healing following sharp transection andsuture repair to bone
Translation to Clinical Care Translational Models of Tendon Injury and Repair

  • Flexor Tendon: Canine

  • Achilles Tendon: Rat, Rabbit, Canine

  • Rotator Cuff Tendon: Rat, Rabbit, Canine, Ovine