New Research on Tendon Repair Presented at the National Academy of Engineering
At the Noyes/Giannestras Biomechanics Laboratories at the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, tissue engineer and biomechanist David L.Butler, PhD, in collaboration with Dr. Frank Noyes, is conducting basic science research which will improve the body as ability to repair injured tendons.
Tendons are throughout our body, connecting muscle to bone. When tendons are injured, explained Dr. Butler, the body tries to heal them by forming scar tissue which is not the same as normal tendon tissue. This can result in chronic tendinitis, pain, and a weak structure that is susceptible to further injury. The goal of this research is to develop and implant specific cells into the injured portion of the tendon which would help it heal with nearly normal tendon tissue, not scar tissue.
Dr. Butler presented this ongoing cellular research at the Bioengineering Section of the National Academy of Engineering’s annual meeting this fall in Washington D.C. He is nationally and internationally known in the field of tissue engineering.
