A Biomechanical Evaluation of Collagen Membrane Augmented Achilles Tendon Repair in Cadaveric Sheep

+Song, L; Olsen, RE; Spalazzi, JP; Davisson, T +Stryker Joint Preservation, Mahwah, NJ; IMDS & University of Utah School of Medicine [email protected] INTRODUCTION Acellular biological matrices have been used frequently in the augmentation of tendon and ligament injuries to reduce the retear rate and to improve clinical outcome. These matrices are designed to serve two functions: provide immediate augmentation to the repair site through load sharing and suture retention as well as provide a biological scaffold for cell and vascular ingrowth, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, and regeneration of new host tissue. A number of commercially available matrices have been used, albeit with varying degrees of success. The disparity in clinical outcomes is likely due to the different physical and biochemical properties of individual matrices as a result of tissue origin, graft processing, the use of cross-linking agents to strengthen the original tissue, and collagen structure. In the present study, a sheep Achilles tendon repair model was used to compare the biomechanical characteristics of two collagen matrices: a bovine dermis matrix and a human allograft dermis matrix. We hypothesized that Achilles tendon repair augmented with these matrices would be improved independently of the matrix used.