Division of flexor tendons causes progressive degradation of tendon matrix in rabbits
Deep flexor tendons of 30 rabbits were divided at the ankle level. The effects of unloading on the synthesis and content of matrix components, the synthesis of DNA, and dry weight were investigated. The reaction of the fibrocartilaginous and non-fibrocartilaginous segments were separately analyzed. The ability of the tendons to synthesize collagen during short-term culture and the contents of matr