A new study by researchers at the University of Galway and the University of Limerick suggests that electrical stimulation might be essential for tendons to maintain their health, offering fresh possibilities in tendon repair and regeneration.
University of GalwayNov 21 2024
Tendons resist intense mechanical stress, while facilitating force transmission from muscles to bones. They are also piezoelectric, meaning that when they are stretched, they will produce an electric field, which is thought to be important for regulating tendon cell function. However, when injured, tendons offer limited healing, which often leads to chronic pain and disability, thus affecting patient productivity.
Recovery from tendon injuries is slow and often requires extensive rehabilitation, which causes nearly two months of lost work-days per injury. Current regenerative medicine for tendon repair has so far failed to recreate tendon cells' native environment, which ultimately hampers their therapeutic potential.
To address these challenges, the team developed a novel cell culture device - a "tympanic piezoelectric bioreactor" that works in a similar way to the human eardrum and which delivered mechanical vibrations and electrical stimuli to tendon cells.
Chronic Chronic Pain Disability Medical Devices Medicine Pain Research Stress
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