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Little D, Amadio PC, Awad HA, Cone SG, Dyment NA, Fisher MB, Huang AH, Koch DW, Kuntz AF, Madi R, McGilvray K, Schnabel LV, Shetye SS, Thomopoulos S, Zhao C, Soslowsky LJ. Preclinical tendon and ligament models: Beyond the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) to 5W1H (why, who, what, where, when, how). J Orthop Res 2023; 41:2133-2162. [PMID: 37573480 PMCID: PMC10561191 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Several tendon and ligament animal models were presented at the 2022 Orthopaedic Research Society Tendon Section Conference held at the University of Pennsylvania, May 5 to 7, 2022. A key objective of the breakout sessions at this meeting was to develop guidelines for the field, including for preclinical tendon and ligament animal models. This review summarizes the perspectives of experts for eight surgical small and large animal models of rotator cuff tear, flexor tendon transection, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and Achilles tendon injury using the framework: "Why, Who, What, Where, When, and How" (5W1H). A notable conclusion is that the perfect tendon model does not exist; there is no single gold standard animal model that represents the totality of tendon and ligament disease. Each model has advantages and disadvantages and should be carefully considered in light of the specific research question. There are also circumstances when an animal model is not the best approach. The wide variety of tendon and ligament pathologies necessitates choices between small and large animal models, different anatomic sites, and a range of factors associated with each model during the planning phase. Attendees agreed on some guiding principles including: providing clear justification for the model selected, providing animal model details at publication, encouraging sharing of protocols and expertise, improving training of research personnel, and considering greater collaboration with veterinarians. A clear path for translating from animal models to clinical practice was also considered as a critical next step for accelerating progress in the tendon and ligament field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Little
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Peter C Amadio
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hani A Awad
- Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Stephanie G Cone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Nathaniel A Dyment
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew B Fisher
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, North Carolina State University-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alice H Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Drew W Koch
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew F Kuntz
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rashad Madi
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kirk McGilvray
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Lauren V Schnabel
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Snehal S Shetye
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stavros Thomopoulos
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chunfeng Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Louis J Soslowsky
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Loflin BE, Ahn T, Colglazier KA, Banaszak Holl MM, Ashton-Miller JA, Wojtys EM, Schlecht SH. An Adolescent Murine In Vivo Anterior Cruciate Ligament Overuse Injury Model. Am J Sports Med 2023; 51:1721-1732. [PMID: 37092727 PMCID: PMC10348391 DOI: 10.1177/03635465231165753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overuse ligament and tendon injuries are prevalent among recreational and competitive adolescent athletes. In vitro studies of the ligament and tendon suggest that mechanical overuse musculoskeletal injuries begin with collagen triple-helix unraveling, leading to collagen laxity and matrix damage. However, there are little in vivo data concerning this mechanism or the physiomechanical response to collagen disruption, particularly regarding the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). PURPOSE To develop and validate a novel in vivo animal model for investigating the physiomechanical response to ACL collagen matrix damage accumulation and propagation in the ACL midsubstance, fibrocartilaginous entheses, and subchondral bone. STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS C57BL/6J adolescent inbred mice underwent 3 moderate to strenuous ACL fatigue loading sessions with a 72-hour recovery between sessions. Before each session, randomly selected subsets of mice (n = 12) were euthanized for quantifying collagen matrix damage (percent collagen unraveling) and ACL mechanics (strength and stiffness). This enabled the quasi-longitudinal assessment of collagen matrix damage accrual and whole tissue mechanical property changes across fatigue sessions. Additionally, all cyclic loading data were quantified to evaluate changes in knee mechanics (stiffness and hysteresis) across fatigue sessions. RESULTS Moderate to strenuous fatigue loading across 3 sessions led to a 24% weaker (P = .07) and 35% less stiff (P < .01) ACL compared with nonloaded controls. The unraveled collagen densities within the fatigued ACL and entheseal matrices after the second and third sessions were 38% (P < .01) and 15% (P = .02) higher compared with the nonloaded controls. CONCLUSION This study confirmed the hypothesis that in vivo ACL collagen matrix damage increases with tissue fatigue sessions, adversely impacting ACL mechanical properties. Moreover, the in vivo ACL findings were consistent with in vitro overloading research in humans. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The outcomes from this study support the use of this model for investigating ACL overuse injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin E. Loflin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Taeyong Ahn
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Kaitlyn A. Colglazier
- Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Purdue University–Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Mark M. Banaszak Holl
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama–Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Edward M. Wojtys
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Stephen H. Schlecht
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Purdue University–Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Gögele C, Vogt J, Hahn J, Breier A, Bernhardt R, Meyer M, Schröpfer M, Schäfer-Eckart K, Schulze-Tanzil G. Co-Culture of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Ligamentocytes on Triphasic Embroidered Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) and Polylactic Acid Scaffolds for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Enthesis Tissue Engineering. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076714. [PMID: 37047686 PMCID: PMC10095212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions strive for a firm bone-ligament integration. With the aim to establish an enthesis-like construct, embroidered functionalized scaffolds were colonized with spheroids of osteogenically differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and lapine (l) ACL fibroblasts in this study. These triphasic poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) and polylactic acid (P(LA-CL)/PLA) scaffolds with a bone-, a fibrocartilage transition- and a ligament zone were colonized with spheroids directly after assembly (DC) or with 14-day pre-cultured lACL fibroblast and 14-day osteogenically differentiated hMSCs spheroids (=longer pre-cultivation, LC). The scaffolds with co-cultures were cultured for 14 days. Cell vitality, DNA and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) contents were determined. The relative gene expressions of collagen types I and X, Mohawk, Tenascin C and runt-related protein (RUNX) 2 were analyzed. Compared to the lACL spheroids, those with hMSCs adhered more rapidly. Vimentin and collagen type I immunoreactivity were mainly detected in the hMSCs colonizing the bone zone. The DNA content was higher in the DC than in LC whereas the sGAG content was higher in LC. The gene expression of ECM components and transcription factors depended on cell type and pre-culturing condition. Zonal colonization of triphasic scaffolds using spheroids is possible, offering a novel approach for enthesis tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Gögele
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg and Salzburg, Prof. Ernst Nathan Str. 1, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Julia Vogt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg and Salzburg, Prof. Ernst Nathan Str. 1, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Judith Hahn
- Department Materials Engineering, Institute of Polymers Materials, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. (IPF), Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Annette Breier
- Department Materials Engineering, Institute of Polymers Materials, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. (IPF), Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ricardo Bernhardt
- Department Materials Engineering, Institute of Polymers Materials, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. (IPF), Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Meyer
- FILK Freiberg Institute gGmbH (FILK), Meißner Ring 1-5, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
| | - Michaela Schröpfer
- FILK Freiberg Institute gGmbH (FILK), Meißner Ring 1-5, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schäfer-Eckart
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Medizinische Klinik 5, Klinikum Nürnberg, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Gundula Schulze-Tanzil
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg and Salzburg, Prof. Ernst Nathan Str. 1, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
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Liu Y, Rodeo SA, Deng XH, Song Z, Chen D, Casey E. Evaluation of sex differences in rodent anterior cruciate ligament injury. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:32-43. [PMID: 35451139 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The relative contributions of sex differences in anatomy, biomechanics, and hormones to the increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in female athletes remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate sex differences in anatomy and biomechanics of the native and reconstructed ACL using our established murine model. A total of 140 12-week-old wild-type C57Bl/6 (70 male vs. 70 female) mice were used for this study. ACL reconstruction was performed on 120 mice who were split into four groups: Group 1 (30 males sacrificed at 14 days), Group 2 (30 females sacrificed at 14 days), Group 3 (30 males sacrificed at 28 days), and Group 4 (30 females sacrificed at 28 days). Tendon graft-to-bone healing was assessed by biomechanical, histological, and micro-CT analysis. Twenty mice were used for baseline testing. Females showed significantly higher anterior (p < 0.05) and total displacement (p < 0.05). Males demonstrated a significantly higher load-to-failure force of native ACLs compared to females (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in load-to-failure force in the ACL autograft. There were no significant sex differences in histological analysis of graft integration or tibial slope. The increased knee laxity and reduced load-to-failure of the native ACL observed in the female mice are consistent with some of the proposed risk factors driving the increased risk of ACL injury in females. Understanding the relative contributions of factors driving sex differences in material properties of the ACL will provide insight into the sex differences in ACL injury and future prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yake Liu
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.,The Affiliate Hospital to Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Scott A Rodeo
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Zhe Song
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daoyun Chen
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ellen Casey
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
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Cardona-Ramirez S, Cook JL, Stoker AM, Ma R. Small laboratory animal models of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Orthop Res 2022; 40:1967-1980. [PMID: 35689508 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common knee ligament injuries. While generally successful, ACL reconstruction that uses a tendon graft to stabilize the knee is still associated with a notable percentage of failures and long-term morbidities. Preclinical research that uses small laboratory species (i.e., mice, rats, and rabbits) to model ACL reconstruction are important to evaluate factors that can impact graft incorporation or posttraumatic osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction. Small animal ACL reconstruction models are also used for proof-of-concept studies for the development of emerging biological strategies aimed at improving ACL reconstruction healing. The objective of this review is to provide an overview on the use of common small animal laboratory species to model ACL reconstruction. The review includes a discussion on comparative knee anatomy, technical considerations including types of tendon grafts employed amongst the small laboratory species (i.e., mice, rats, and rabbits), and common laboratory evaluative methods used to study healing and outcomes after ACL reconstruction in small laboratory animals. The review will also highlight common research questions addressed with small animal models of ACL reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Cardona-Ramirez
- Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - James L Cook
- Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Aaron M Stoker
- Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Richard Ma
- Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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Ochocki DN, Loflin BE, Ahn T, Colglazier KA, Young AR, Snider AA, Bueckers EP, Wojtys EM, Schlecht SH. Endurance running during late murine adolescence results in a stronger anterior cruciate ligament and flatter posterior tibial slopes compared to controls. J Exp Orthop 2022; 9:3. [PMID: 34978644 PMCID: PMC8724477 DOI: 10.1186/s40634-021-00439-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rates continue to rise among youth involved in recreational and competitive athletics, requiring a better understanding of how the knee structurally and mechanically responds to activity during musculoskeletal growth. Little is understood about how anatomical risk factors for ACL injury (e.g., small ACL size, narrow intercondylar notch, and steep posterior tibial slope) develop and respond to increased physical activity throughout growth. We hypothesized that the ACL-complex of mice engaged in moderate to strenuous physical activity (i.e., endurance running) throughout late adolescence and young adulthood would positively functionally adapt to repetitive load perturbations. METHODS Female C57BL6/J mice (8 weeks of age) were either provided free access to a standard cage wheel with added resistance (n = 18) or normal cage activity (n = 18), for a duration of 4 weeks. Daily distance ran, weekly body and food weights, and pre- and post-study body composition measures were recorded. At study completion, muscle weights, three-dimensional knee morphology, ACL cross-sectional area, and ACL mechanical properties of runners and nonrunners were quantified. Statistical comparisons between runners and nonrunners were assessed using a two-way analysis of variance and a Tukey multiple comparisons test, with body weight included as a covariate. RESULTS Runners had larger quadriceps (p = 0.02) and gastrocnemius (p = 0.05) muscles, but smaller hamstring (p = 0.05) muscles, compared to nonrunners. Though there was no significant difference in ACL size (p = 0.24), it was 13% stronger in runners (p = 0.03). Additionally, both the posterior medial and lateral tibial slopes were 1.2 to 2.2 degrees flatter than those of nonrunners (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Positive functional adaptations of the knee joint to moderate to strenuous exercise in inbred mice offers hope that that some anatomical risk factors for ACL injury may be reduced through habitual physical activity. However, confirmation that a similar response to loading occurs in humans is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N Ochocki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, VanNuys Medical Science Building, Room 0028, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Benjamin E Loflin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, VanNuys Medical Science Building, Room 0028, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Taeyong Ahn
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, VanNuys Medical Science Building, Room 0028, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kaitlyn A Colglazier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andrew R Young
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anna A Snider
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, VanNuys Medical Science Building, Room 0028, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Elizabeth P Bueckers
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, VanNuys Medical Science Building, Room 0028, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Edward M Wojtys
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephen H Schlecht
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, VanNuys Medical Science Building, Room 0028, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Beaulieu ML, DeClercq MG, Rietberg NT, Li SH, Harker EC, Weber AE, Ashton-Miller JA, Wojtys EM. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Can Become Hypertrophied in Response to Mechanical Loading: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study in Elite Athletes. Am J Sports Med 2021; 49:2371-2378. [PMID: 34259598 PMCID: PMC8561743 DOI: 10.1177/03635465211012354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence, mainly from animal models, suggests that exercise during periods of pubertal growth can produce a hypertrophied anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and improve its mechanical properties. In humans, the only evidence of ACL hypertrophy comes from a small cross-sectional study of elite weight lifters and control participants; that study had methodological weaknesses and, thus, more evidence is needed. PURPOSE To investigate bilateral differences in the ACL cross-sectional area (CSA) for evidence of unilateral hypertrophy in athletes who have habitually loaded 1 leg more than the other. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS We recruited 52 figure skaters and springboard divers (46 female and 6 male; mean age, 20.2 ± 2.7 years) because the former always land/jump on the same leg while the latter always drive the same leg into the board during their hurdle approach. Sport training for all participants began before puberty and continued throughout as well as after. Using oblique axial- and oblique sagittal-plane magnetic resonance imaging, we measured the ACL CSA and the anteroposterior diameter of the patellar tendon, respectively. In addition, isometric and isokinetic knee extensor and flexor peak torques were acquired using a dynamometer. Bilateral differences in the ACL CSA, patellar tendon diameter, and knee muscle strength were evaluated via 2-sided paired-samples t tests. Correlations between the bilateral difference in the ACL CSA and age of training onset as well as between the bilateral difference in the ACL CSA and years of training were also examined. RESULTS A significantly larger ACL CSA (mean difference, 4.9% ± 14.0%; P = .041), as well as patellar tendon diameter (mean difference, 4.7% ± 9.4%; P = .002), was found in the landing/drive leg than in the contralateral leg. The bilateral difference in the ACL CSA, however, was not associated with the age of training onset or years of training. Last, the isometric knee flexor peak torque was significantly greater in the landing/drive leg than the contralateral leg (mean difference, 14.5% ± 33.8%; P = .019). CONCLUSION Athletes who habitually loaded 1 leg more than the other before, during, and after puberty exhibited significant unilateral ACL hypertrophy. This study suggests that the ACL may be able to be "trained" in athletes. If done correctly, it could help lower the risk for ACL injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie L. Beaulieu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Sylvia H. Li
- Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Alexander E. Weber
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James A. Ashton-Miller
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Edward M. Wojtys
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Belcastro MG, Mariotti V, Pietrobelli A, Sorrentino R, García-Tabernero A, Estalrrich A, Rosas A. The study of the lower limb entheses in the Neanderthal sample from El Sidrón (Asturias, Spain): How much musculoskeletal variability did Neanderthals accumulate? J Hum Evol 2020; 141:102746. [PMID: 32163763 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2020.102746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Entheses have rarely been systematically studied in the field of human evolution. However, the investigation of their morphological variability (e.g., robusticity) could provide new insight into their evolutionary significance in the European Neanderthal populations. The aim of this work is to study the entheses and joint features of the lower limbs of El Sidrón Neanderthals (Spain; 49 ka), using standardized scoring methods developed on modern samples. Paleobiology, growth, and development of both juveniles and adults from El Sidrón are studied and compared with those of Krapina Neanderthals (Croatia, 130 ka) and extant humans. The morphological patterns of the gluteus maximus and vastus intermedius entheses in El Sidrón, Krapina, and modern humans differ from one another. Both Neanderthal groups show a definite enthesis design for the gluteus maximus, with little intrapopulation variability with respect to modern humans, who are characterized by a wider range of morphological variability. The gluteus maximus enthesis in the El Sidrón sample shows the osseous features of fibrous entheses, as in modern humans, whereas the Krapina sample shows the aspects of fibrocartilaginous ones. The morphology and anatomical pattern of this enthesis has already been established during growth in all three human groups. One of two and three of five adult femurs from El Sidrón and from Krapina, respectively, show the imprint of the vastus intermedius, which is absent among juveniles from those Neanderthal samples and in modern samples. The scant intrapopulation and the high interpopulation variability in the two Neanderthal samples is likely due to a long-term history of small, isolated populations with high levels of inbreeding, who also lived in different ecological conditions. The comparison of different anatomical entheseal patterns (fibrous vs. fibrocartilaginous) in the Neanderthals and modern humans provides additional elements in the discussion of their functional and genetic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Belcastro
- Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Valentina Mariotti
- Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pietrobelli
- Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Sorrentino
- Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Dept. of Cultural Heritage (campus Ravenna), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio García-Tabernero
- Group of Paleoanthropology MNCN-CSIC, Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Estalrrich
- Group of Paleoanthropology MNCN-CSIC, Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rosas
- Group of Paleoanthropology MNCN-CSIC, Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
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