The 4 zones of the normal enthesis: The tendon zone consists of elongated tenocytes. At the border to the fibrocartilaginous zone, the cells change from elongated fibroblasts to round chondrocytes, stacked in columns. The cells enlarge during the transition from unmineralized to mineralized fibrocartilage. These hypertrophic cells are large cells imbedded in the mineralized matrix, gradually mineralizing the matrix. The mineralized fibrocartilage firmly anchors into the underlying trabecular bone tissue. The tidemark separates the 2 fibrocartilaginous zones.
These authors summarize the current knowledge about development and age-related degradation of the supraspinatus enthesis. Healing and repair of an injured and degenerated supraspinatus enthesis is a challenge, as the original graded transitional tissue of the fibrocartilaginous insertion is not re-created after the tendon is surgically reattached to bone.Instead, mechanically inferior and disorganized tissue forms at the healing site because of scar tissue formation. Consequently, the enthesis never reaches mechanical properties comparable to those of the native enthesis. So far, no novel biologic healing approach has been successful in enhancing healing of the injured enthesis.
Comment: Nature's design for the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon is a marvel of engineering. It provides a smooth mechanical transition from flexible tendon to stiff bone through the intermediate zones of unmineralized and then mineralized fibrocartilage. This structure is analogous to that of a modern electrical plug with transition from the flexible cord to the stiff metal blades.
This graduated transition is designed to prevent the failures associated with a sharp change from flexible to stiff seen in the old plug design.
When we try to repair a rotator cuff detachment, we are taking the degenerated edge of the tendon and attaching it directly to the stiff bone of the tuberosity.
The normal transition through unmineralized and mineralized fibrocartilage is lost and replaced by what the authors call "mechanically inferior and disorganized tissue at the healing site" resulting from scar tissue formation".
Given that we are attempting a repair because of failure of the original tendon insertion to bone, it is not surprising that the inferior tissue at the healing site is at risk for failure as well.
Comment: Nature's design for the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon is a marvel of engineering. It provides a smooth mechanical transition from flexible tendon to stiff bone through the intermediate zones of unmineralized and then mineralized fibrocartilage. This structure is analogous to that of a modern electrical plug with transition from the flexible cord to the stiff metal blades.
When we try to repair a rotator cuff detachment, we are taking the degenerated edge of the tendon and attaching it directly to the stiff bone of the tuberosity.
The normal transition through unmineralized and mineralized fibrocartilage is lost and replaced by what the authors call "mechanically inferior and disorganized tissue at the healing site" resulting from scar tissue formation".
Given that we are attempting a repair because of failure of the original tendon insertion to bone, it is not surprising that the inferior tissue at the healing site is at risk for failure as well.
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