ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is difficult to obtain the biomechanics of patellar tendinitis by using experimental conditions. Finite element method can solve this problem by using its powerful modeling and computer simulation functions. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the application of finite element analysis in several aspects, such as the mechanism of patellar tendinitis, treatment method and design of knee wearable device, so as to provide theoretical guidance for the prevention and rehabilitation of patellar tendinitis, and provide new ideas for the application of finite element analysis in the study of patellar tendinitis. METHODS: The first author used the search terms “finite element analysis, patellar tendon (patellar tendinitis), knee, biomechanics” in Chinese and English, respectively. Relevant literature published from 1981 to 2019 in CNKI, SportDiscus, PubMed and Elsevier databases were searched. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At present, a variety of simulation and analysis algorithms for simulating the mechanism of human biomechanics are continuously developed, so as to establish and analyze the knee tissue with complex structure and the wearable device model. The nonlinear and dynamic analysis of the continuous motion of the knee will be realized, and the simulation analysis will be more real. Further exploration of the treatment of patellar tendinitis by using finite element method, research and development of rehabilitation equipment, and design of overall materials and structures of wearable devices will be the development direction of future research.
ABSTRACT
A tendinopatia do tendão patelar é uma patologia que acomete frequentemente atletas que exigem força de impacto repetitivo ou de saltos frequentes. A sobrecarga excessiva no tendão pode provocar alterações na matriz extracelular que cronicamente poderá levar a um quadro de tendinose. Ocorre principalmente na região do polo inferior da patela. Seu início é insidioso e gradual, principalmente após uma atividade física, mas com a progressão da doença pode tornar-se frequente durante ou mesmo no início da atividade. O diagnóstico de tendinopatia do tendão patelar é eminentemente clínico, caracterizado por dor a palpação no polo inferior da patela e adjacências. Exames complementares auxiliam no diagnóstico. O USG e a RM são os mais indicados, pois podem definir o local exato da lesão, sua extensão, como também identificar a presença ou não de alterações degenerativas. O tratamento inicial desta tendinopatia é clínico, com repouso relativo, correção dos fatores etiológicos, além de crioterapia e medidas fisioterápicas. Já nos casos não responsivos ao tratamento clínico, o tratamento cirúrgico é uma opção, em que várias técnicas são descritas, com a literatura expondo índices variados de bons resultados.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Tendinopathy/diagnosis , Tendinopathy/etiology , Tendinopathy/history , Tendinopathy/pathology , Tendinopathy , Tendinopathy/therapy , Patellar Ligament/injuries , Patellar Ligament/pathologyABSTRACT
The effects of electrical acupuncture at the patellar tendon and electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve on patellar tendon blood flow were evaluated using laser Doppler flowmetry in anesthetized rats. In most subjects the blood flow in the patellar tendon rapidly decreased for 30 seconds after the start of local electrical acupuncture and then increased above baseline. Changes in blood flow did not necessarily follow changes in arterial blood pressure. Changes in tendon blood flow induced by electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve were similar to those induced by electrical acupuncture at the patellar tendon. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were not affected by electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve. Phentolamine administration abolished the decreased patellar tendon blood flow seen after initiating electrical acupuncture at the patellar tendon, whereas atropine abolished the increased patellar tendon blood flow seen after terminating electrical acupuncture at the patellar tendon. Furthermore, atropine did not evoke increased blood flow following electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve. These results suggest that the decrease of blood flow seen after initiating electrical acupuncture may be controlled by sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerves and the increase of blood flow following electrical acupuncture may be controlled by cholinergic vasodilator nerves.