Collagen Shortening: An Experimental Approach With Heat

Decreasing joint laxity is a clinical goal of ligament reconstructions. This in vitro study examined the structural and histologic effects of heat shrinkage of human collagen. Two preliminary studies were performed to assess the effect of heat on fresh frozen human tendons obtained from a local tissue bank. As heat was applied to tissue in a saline solution, the percent shrinkage was plotted against temperature. A second study used a freebeam Nd:YAG laser to maximally shrink patellar tendons measuring percent shrinkage versus energy applied. Finally, the effects of 10% shrinkage of fresh frozen human patellar tendons were analyzed mechanically and histologically. Consistent tendon shrinkage curves were found with increasing temperatures in a saline solution. A sharp increase in shrinkage to approximately 70% of resting length was noted around 70 degrees C. Tendon shrinkage by laser induced heat was precise and dose related. Tensile testing of the tendons shortened 10% of their resting length showed a decrease in load to failure to approximately 1/3 compared with that of historical control specimens. Histologic sections showed a well demarcated site of diffuse denaturation and degeneration of collagenous elements. Normal collagen was present adjacent to these thermal changes. These experiments showed that collagen tissue can be shortened precisely by the application of heat. Future studies need to examine the in vivo biologic response of shortened collagen tissue with time, especially recollagenization, restoration of length, and the long term biomechanical effects.